Ohene-Botwe B, Antwi W K, Amedu C, Akudjedu T N, Mudadi L-S, Chinene B, Quaye S N A, Dambele M Y, Mkoloma S S, Barare C, Kumsa M J, Sichone J, Saizi R, Mdletshe S, Dlama J Z, Joshua J, Malamateniou C
Department of Midwifery and Radiography, SHPS, City St George's, University of London, Northampton Square, London, EC1V 0HB, United Kingdom.
Department of Radiography, School of Biomedical & Allied Health Sciences, CHS. University of Ghana, Ghana.
Radiography (Lond). 2025 Jul;31(4):102988. doi: 10.1016/j.radi.2025.102988. Epub 2025 May 28.
Understanding students' intentions regarding migration is crucial, as migration intentions are strongly correlated with future actions. This study aimed to evaluate the migration intentions of radiography students in Africa and assess the push and pull factors influencing their decisions.
This quantitative study employed an online cross-sectional survey. Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted using Stata 13. For the students who confirmed their desire to migrate, an additional exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed using principal component analysis (PCA).
A total of 614 students drawn from 14 African countries participated in the study, with a significant majority (93 %) expressing a desire to work in another country. The desire to fulfil self-aspirations was the most common push factor identified by students (Agree - 35.2 %, Strongly agree - 43.96 %; Overall - 79.16 %). In the exploratory factor analysis, five factors were identified, explaining 58.84 % of the variation in the data. These factors included social, Health System, economic, Political, and Professional factors. The opportunity to gain better clinical experience was the major pull factor identified, with 56.39 % of students strongly agreeing with this statement.
The potential emigration of future skilled healthcare professionals poses major ramifications for Africa's healthcare workforce. Understanding these migration intentions could allow policymakers to develop strategies that improve local opportunities, strengthen healthcare facilities, and foster an environment that retains talent and stimulates career development in the region.
Addressing the migration intentions of radiography students in Africa requires a proactive, multifaceted approach. By implementing the strategies outlined in this article, African healthcare systems can more effectively retain future radiography professionals and enhance the sustainability of the workforce.
了解学生的移民意向至关重要，因为移民意向与未来行动密切相关。本研究旨在评估非洲放射学专业学生的移民意向，并评估影响其决策的推动因素和拉动因素。
本定量研究采用在线横断面调查。使用Stata 13进行描述性和推断性统计。对于确认有移民意愿的学生，使用主成分分析（PCA）进行了额外的探索性因素分析（EFA）。
共有来自14个非洲国家的614名学生参与了该研究，绝大多数（93%）表示希望到其他国家工作。学生们确定的最常见的推动因素是实现自我抱负的愿望（同意 - 35.2%，强烈同意 - 43.96%；总体 - 79.16%）。在探索性因素分析中，确定了五个因素，解释了数据中58.84%的变异。这些因素包括社会、卫生系统、经济、政治和专业因素。获得更好临床经验的机会是确定的主要拉动因素，56.39%的学生强烈同意这一说法。
未来熟练医疗保健专业人员的潜在移民对非洲的医疗劳动力构成重大影响。了解这些移民意向可以使政策制定者制定战略，以改善当地机会、加强医疗设施，并营造一个留住人才并促进该地区职业发展的环境。
解决非洲放射学专业学生的移民意向需要采取积极主动、多方面的方法。通过实施本文所述的战略，非洲医疗系统可以更有效地留住未来的放射学专业人员，并提高劳动力的可持续性。
