Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39567952›Full record

ArticleBMC medical education2024

Factors influencing the decision of Nigerian optometry students to work in rural areas upon graduation: a cross-sectional survey.

George Nnamdi Atuanya, Babatunde Ismail Bale, Emmanuel Ebuka Elebesunu, Alhaji Umar Sow

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical education, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

George Nnamdi AtuanyaDepartment of Optometry, Faculty of Life Science, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
Babatunde Ismail BaleDepartment of Optometry, Faculty of Life Science, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
Emmanuel Ebuka ElebesunuDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.
Alhaji Umar SowCollege of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone. pharmsow@gmail.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAccess to eye care in rural Nigeria remains limited, as most optometrists work in urban areas. This study explores the factors influencing Nigerian optometry students' decision to work in rural settings after graduation.

methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 optometry students from ten accredited Nigerian universities. The students were surveyed on their preferences regarding rural practice and the factors affecting their decisions.

resultsThe majority of respondents (81.3%) were not inclined to establish their first optometric practice in rural areas, with poor living conditions (26.34%) being the most common deterrent. However, a significant proportion (52.8%) expressed willingness to consider establishing subsequent practices in rural areas. Motivation to help the community (56.6%) and the potential to enhance their optometric practice (74.6%) were key drivers for rural practice. Chi-square test revealed that participants' year of study had a significant influence on their preference to practice in rural areas (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant connection between participants' gender and place of origin, and their preference for rural practice (p > 0.05).

conclusionWhile many students, particularly from urban backgrounds, are reluctant to initiate practice in rural areas after graduation, primarily due to concerns over living conditions. In contrast, students from rural backgrounds show a higher likelihood of considering rural practice, especially within NGOs or the public sector. Hence, such factors should be considered by academic institutions and government bodies when designing policies to address workforce imbalances.

Indexed as

Career ChoiceOptometryRural Health ServicesAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMotivationNigeriaProfessional Practice LocationRural PopulationStudents, Health OccupationsSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultEducationEye careHealth workforceNigerian optometry studentsRural areaUrban area

Identifiers

PMID39567952
PMCPMC11580540

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.