Kingpriest Paul Tunde, Okpanachi Joshua Adejo, Afolabi Samson Adedeji, Ayorinde Mercy Martha, Muoghallu Obianuju Iheomamere, Alapa Glory Enoche, Moses Matthew Taiye, Muhideen Badru, Musa Keffi Mubarak, Zarmai Jonathan, Aigbodioh Frances, Dauda Saratu, Pugazhenti N, Sandhya V, Uppal Aashna, Galam Nanyak Zingfa, Silas Olugbenga Akindele, Alayande Barnabas Tobi
Surgical Equity and Research Hub, Jos, Nigeria.
The Global Health Network, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
BMC Med Educ. 2025 May 16;25(1):713. doi: 10.1186/s12909-025-07308-2.
Clinical and health systems research are essential for advancing global healthcare. Engaging and training medical students in research will foster lifelong evidence-based practice, particularly for the emerging healthcare workforce. This study investigates the involvement of Nigerian medical students in research, identifying key opportunities and barriers to enhance their engagement.
This cross-sectional, descriptive study used an online survey targeting recent graduates from 42 accredited Nigerian medical schools. A purposive sampling approach selected one federal, state, and private institution from each of Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. Data were collected between February and June 2024 using a face-validated online questionnaire, which gathered quantitative data and free-text recommendations. The survey was distributed through WhatsApp groups. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were employed to explore trends in the data. Ethical approval was obtained from the Jos University Teaching Hospital ethics review board (JUTH/DCS/IREC/127/XXXI/871). Informed consent was secured from each participant prior to participation.
Of the 429 respondents (270 men, 159 women) from 15 universities across all six zones, 92% participated in research during medical school. Men engaged in more research projects than women (p = 0.03). Most respondents participated in two projects, usually group-based, with limited individual projects. Few had presented (20%) or published (17%) their research. Proficiency was highest in developing appropriate research methodologies (54%), while data analysis was the most challenging aspect of research (42%). Participation in research was supported by adequate mentorship for most participants (64%), whereas time constraints(74%), lack of research funding (55%), and inadequate research training (31%) were the main barriers to involvement. Regional differences were noted, with the highest participation by students in the South-South geo-political zone (98%) and the lowest in the South-West (85%). Learners from the South-West had more opportunities to present research at conferences, while those from the South-East had the fewest. Participants advocated for integrating more research opportunities into the medical curriculum, emphasising early skill development, expanding mentorship and networking opportunities, and offering grants to support students in conducting innovative research.
There is a pressing need to enhance structured research opportunities in Nigerian medical education, especially for female medical students. This includes expanding access to training in data analysis, increasing publication and presentation opportunities, and integrating research skills early in the curriculum while addressing barriers like time constraints.
Not applicable.
临床和卫生系统研究对于推动全球医疗保健至关重要。让医学生参与并接受研究培训将促进终身循证实践，特别是对于新兴的医疗保健劳动力而言。本研究调查了尼日利亚医学生参与研究的情况，确定了增强他们参与度的关键机会和障碍。
这项横断面描述性研究采用在线调查，目标是来自42所尼日利亚认可医学院校的近期毕业生。采用目的抽样方法，从尼日利亚六个地缘政治区各选取一所联邦、州立和私立机构。2024年2月至6月期间，使用经过表面效度验证的在线问卷收集数据，该问卷收集定量数据和自由文本建议。调查通过WhatsApp群组分发。采用描述性统计和主题分析来探索数据趋势。获得了乔斯大学教学医院伦理审查委员会（JUTH/DCS/IREC/127/XXXI/871）的伦理批准。每位参与者在参与前均获得了知情同意。
在来自所有六个区15所大学的429名受访者（270名男性，159名女性）中，92%在医学院期间参与过研究。男性参与的研究项目比女性多（p = 0.03）。大多数受访者参与了两个项目，通常是基于小组的，个人项目有限。很少有人展示（20%）或发表（17%）过他们的研究。在制定适当的研究方法方面熟练度最高（54%），而数据分析是研究中最具挑战性的方面（42%）。大多数参与者（64%）认为充足的指导对参与研究有帮助，而时间限制（74%）、缺乏研究资金（55%）和研究培训不足（31%）是参与的主要障碍。注意到存在区域差异，南南地缘政治区的学生参与度最高（98%），西南地区最低（85%）。来自西南地区的学习者有更多机会在会议上展示研究成果，而来自东南地区的学习者机会最少。参与者主张将更多研究机会纳入医学课程，强调早期技能培养，扩大指导和建立人际关系的机会，并提供资助以支持学生开展创新性研究。
迫切需要在尼日利亚医学教育中增加结构化的研究机会，特别是针对女医学生。这包括扩大数据分析培训的获取途径，增加发表和展示机会，并在课程早期融入研究技能，同时解决时间限制等障碍。
不适用。
