Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, University College Hospital, University of Ibadan, PMB 5116, Ibadan, 200212, Nigeria.
Pediatr Radiol. 2021 Apr;51(4):587-591. doi: 10.1007/s00247-019-04610-2. Epub 2020 Jan 29.
Children account for nearly half the population of Nigeria yet the capacity for effective imaging of children is unknown. In order to determine clinical resources for and challenges of paediatric radiology in Nigeria, certified radiologists at an exit examination in radiology for resident doctors, and resident doctors in radiology attending an update course, completed a semi-structured questionnaire detailing personal information, radiology training, practice and perceived priorities of paediatric radiology in Nigeria. Of 100 questionnaires, 80 were returned, completed (80%) by 46 (58%) certified radiologists, 14 (18%) senior and 20 (25%) junior radiology residents. Only 1 (2.2%) certified radiologist received dedicated albeit short training in paediatric radiology. Nine (20.0%) certified radiologists and 1 (2.9%) resident doctor target their practice to paediatric imaging. Only 2 (4.4%) certified radiologists devote at least half of their time to paediatric radiology. Forty-two (91%) of the certified radiologists are not aware of any radiologist primarily affiliated with a dedicated children's hospital or who practices in a dedicated paediatric unit of a mixed hospital. Eight (19%) radiologists work in a facility with a consultant who has some training in paediatric radiology. Surgeons (64%), neonatologists (53%) and neurologists (45%) were the other paediatric specialties usually available where the respondent works. Fourteen (4.9%), 4 (2.1%), and 1 (1.3%) ultrasound, X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) units, respectively, were reserved for paediatric imaging while no fluoroscopy or computed tomography (CT) unit was dedicated to children. Lack of dedicated equipment (44%) and trained paediatric radiologists (24%) were the main challenges to paediatric imaging as perceived by the respondents. Substantial deficits in human and material resources require informed investment in dedicated equipment and training to boost capacity for paediatric radiology in Nigeria.
儿童占尼日利亚人口的近一半，但儿童有效成像的能力尚不清楚。为了确定尼日利亚儿科放射学的临床资源和挑战，参加放射学住院医师结业考试的认证放射科医生和参加放射学更新课程的住院医师，填写了一份半结构化问卷，详细说明个人信息、放射科培训、实践和对尼日利亚儿科放射学的优先事项的看法。在 100 份问卷中，有 80 份被退回，其中 46 份（58%）由认证放射科医生填写（58%），14 份（18%）为高级放射科医生，20 份（25%）为初级放射科住院医师。只有 1 名（2.2%）认证放射科医生接受过专门的儿科放射学短期培训。9 名（20.0%）认证放射科医生和 1 名（2.9%）住院医师将其实践目标定位于儿科成像。只有 2 名（4.4%）认证放射科医生将至少一半的时间用于儿科放射学。42 名（91%）认证放射科医生不知道有任何主要与专门儿童医院有关联或在混合医院的专门儿科单位执业的放射科医生。8 名（19%）放射科医生在有顾问的医疗机构工作，该顾问在儿科放射学方面有一些培训。在受访者工作的地方，外科医生（64%）、新生儿科医生（53%）和神经科医生（45%）是其他常见的儿科专业。分别有 14 名（4.9%）、4 名（2.1%）和 1 名（1.3%）超声、X 射线和磁共振成像（MRI）单位专门用于儿科成像，而没有透视或计算机断层扫描（CT）单位专门用于儿童。受访者认为，缺乏专门设备（44%）和经过培训的儿科放射科医生（24%）是儿科成像的主要挑战。人力资源和物质资源的大量短缺需要对专门设备和培训进行明智投资，以提高尼日利亚儿科放射学的能力。
