Career Intentions in Paediatric Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Junior Surgical Residents In Nigeria And Implications For Workforce Development.

Background: The global shortage of paediatric surgeons underscores the need to understand what influences young doctors to pursue this specialty. In Nigeria, paediatric surgery workforce density remains suboptimal. This study explored the proportion of junior surgical residents intending to specialize in paediatric surgery and identified factors that influence their career decisions. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among junior surgery residents attending the West African College of Surgeons Integrated Revision Course in Clinical Surgery. Data were collected via self-administered online questionnaires and analyzed with SPSS version 20. Results: Fifty-five of 85 (64.7%) residents responded. The majority were male (81.8%) with a mean age of 33 ± 3.5 years. Only 7 (12.7%) residents planned to pursue paediatric surgery. No statistically significant association was found between the intention to specialize and prior exposure to paediatric surgery (p = 0.269) or having a role model in the field (p = 0.869). Common deterrents included unfriendly trainers (8; 16.7%), the demanding nature of the specialty (6; 12.5%), and challenges with paediatric procedures such as intravenous access (6; 12.5%). Conversely, those who planned to specialize cited career fulfillment (5; 71.4%), relevance to local needs (4; 57.1%), and perceived good outcomes (4; 57.1%) as key motivators. Conclusion: Despite exposure and mentorship, few junior residents intend to specialize in paediatric surgery. The attitude of trainers and perceived clinical challenges may discourage interest while personal fulfillment and contextual relevance could inspire commitment. Addressing interpersonal and systemic barriers may help strengthen the paediatric surgery workforce in Nigeria.