IADR Abstract Archives
PERCEPTION and WILLINGNESS to PRACTICE in RURAL AREAS AMONG DENTAL STUDENTS in COLLEGE of MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY of LAGOS
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the perception of dental students on rural dental practice and their willingness to work in rural communities in Nigeria.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among all the 500 and 600 level dental students in College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria. Data was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Data was analysed using Epi info version 7. Associations were tested using Chi square and a P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: A total of 63 students (69.8 % females and 30.2 % males) took part in this study, with a mean age of 24.8±1.9 years. 24 % had a good perception about rural areas. 71 % of respondents were unwilling to work in rural areas with lower income (31.1 %) being the major reason for the unwillingness. Factors which contributed to the unwillingness to work in rural areas were lack of social amenities, unfavorable working conditions, no professional growth and isolation of friends and family. Among the few (29%) willing to work in the rural areas, higher pay was the major reason for the willingness according to 44.4% of the respondents. 15.9 % of the participants would consider working in rural areas if there is adequate provision of accommodation.
Conclusions: Most participants were unwilling to work in rural areas, possibly because they believed that such areas lacked adequate infrastructure that would have made such employment stress-free and easy. Given the magnitude of the rural population, efforts should be made to attract more skilled healthcare workers to rural areas in order to address the growing issue of worker shortage.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among all the 500 and 600 level dental students in College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria. Data was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Data was analysed using Epi info version 7. Associations were tested using Chi square and a P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: A total of 63 students (69.8 % females and 30.2 % males) took part in this study, with a mean age of 24.8±1.9 years. 24 % had a good perception about rural areas. 71 % of respondents were unwilling to work in rural areas with lower income (31.1 %) being the major reason for the unwillingness. Factors which contributed to the unwillingness to work in rural areas were lack of social amenities, unfavorable working conditions, no professional growth and isolation of friends and family. Among the few (29%) willing to work in the rural areas, higher pay was the major reason for the willingness according to 44.4% of the respondents. 15.9 % of the participants would consider working in rural areas if there is adequate provision of accommodation.
Conclusions: Most participants were unwilling to work in rural areas, possibly because they believed that such areas lacked adequate infrastructure that would have made such employment stress-free and easy. Given the magnitude of the rural population, efforts should be made to attract more skilled healthcare workers to rural areas in order to address the growing issue of worker shortage.