A Descriptive Analysis of Paediatricians’ Involvement in Community Child Health in Nigeria: So Far How Far?

Abstract

Background: Community child health activities are considered an important professional role of Pediatricians as a child advocate.  However practice constraints and personal factors may limit involvement. Objective: The objective was to analyze community involvement of paediatricians in 2017 and factors associated with participation. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire of all Paediatrician at the annual conference of Paediatrics Association of Nigeria (Panconf) 2017 at Zaria, in Nigeria was the tool. Questions on  community child health outside of their clinical practice were elucidated. This includes questions on school health programme.  Their willingness to volunteer and the timing of formal training were sought. We used Chi square statistics to measure associations of personal and practice characteristics. Logistic regression assessed independent contributions. Results: Analysis showed there were total of n = 260 in attendance. Fewer paediatricians were into community child health in 2017 (35.1%) outside their routine work, with a higher percentage participating as volunteers (79.5%). Most reported formal training at residency (80.2%). The older age, having children older than 5 years, urban settings and formal training were significant. In adjusted models, older age and formal training were associated with involvement (P < .05). Conclusions: Formal training during residency and older paediatricians are associated with community child health activities. Therefore, intensification of advocacy competencies and other community child health activities for all residents and retraining of paediatricians for refreshing of experiences and related skills are advocated.