Emejulu J K C
Department of Surgery, Nnamdi Azikiwe University & Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Niger J Clin Pract. 2008 Dec;11(4):291-5.
Neurosurgery has become endangered species in Nigeria. We have only 15 practising neurosurgeons for our population of 150 million, giving a ratio of one neurosurgeon to 10 million Nigerians. Of the 26 accredited medical schools, only 6 offer neurosurgery. This study is a preliminary evaluation of the perceptions about neurosurgery before the commencement of neurosurgical services in a tertiary health institution, and a comparison with the situation in other African countries.
A questionnaire designed after the 5-point Likert rating scale was distributed to doctors, nurses, final-year medical/nursing students, paramedics and administrative staff of the 350-bed health institution. The completed questionnaires that were returned, were collated and data analysis done.
Out of 200 questionnaires distributed, 164 were completed and returned. Most of the respondents were females 59.1%, and most were in the 20 30 year age group, 57.3%; more than 96% stated that they have heard of neurosurgery previously, but rated the available services in Nigeria as inadequate 50.6%, and quality of services as fair 39.6% or poor 36.6%, respectively. In their opinion, political and administrative lapses rather than funding are responsible for the poor state of affairs, culminating in unavailability of adequate manpower and facilities. Health policy changes and provision of facilities with manpower training were suggested by 78% of respondents as the solution to the problem. Most, however agree that neurosurgery has good prospects 78%, in the institution.
Neurosurgical service in Nigeria is grossly inadequate both in availability and quality, and these have resulted from bad government policies. It is therefore of utmost necessity that services and training be urgently provided in this specialty, at least in the tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
神经外科在尼日利亚已成为濒危专业。在我们1.5亿人口中，仅有15名执业神经外科医生，即每1000万尼日利亚人中有一名神经外科医生。在26所获得认证的医学院校中，只有6所开设神经外科课程。本研究是对一家三级医疗机构开展神经外科服务之前人们对神经外科的认知进行的初步评估，并与其他非洲国家的情况进行比较。
根据五点李克特量表设计的问卷，分发给了这家拥有350张床位的医疗机构的医生、护士、医学/护理专业最后一年的学生、医护辅助人员和行政人员。对回收的完整问卷进行整理并进行数据分析。
在分发的200份问卷中，164份被填写并回收。大多数受访者为女性，占59.1%，且多数年龄在20至30岁之间，占57.3%；超过96%的受访者表示他们之前听说过神经外科，但认为尼日利亚现有的服务不足的占50.6%，服务质量一般的占39.6%，差的占36.6%。他们认为，造成这种糟糕状况的原因是政治和行政失误而非资金问题，最终导致缺乏足够的人力和设施。78%的受访者建议通过卫生政策改革以及提供设施并开展人力培训来解决这一问题。然而，大多数人（78%）认为该机构的神经外科前景良好。
尼日利亚的神经外科服务在可及性和质量方面都严重不足，这是政府不良政策造成的。因此，迫切需要至少在尼日利亚的三级医疗机构中提供该专业的服务和培训。
