Perception about Working in Rural Area after Graduation and Associated Factors: A Study among Final Year Medical Students in Medical Schools of Southeast Nigeria

Aims: Aim of study was to determine the perception of rural medical practice among final year medical students in medical schools of southeast Nigeria and the associated factors.
Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: The six medical schools in southeast Nigeria, between March and May 2014.
Methodology: All the final year medical students in southeast Nigeria were recruited and were eligible for voluntary participation in the study. The students were interviewed using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done using STATA statistical software; version 13 and level of significance was determined at a p value of less than 0.05.
Results: Four hundred and fifty seven medical students participated in the study representing a response rate of 86.7%. The mean age of the students was 25.5±2.9 years and majority (57.1%) were male. A minor proportion of the students (13.6%) were willing to practice in the rural area after graduation. Majority of the students (80.1%) were of the opinion that doctors working in rural area should earn more than their urban counterparts. Factors associated with willingness to practice in rural area included family residence in an urban area (AOR= 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2 – 0.9); work experience before admission into medical school (AOR= 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1- 3.9); intention to specialize in Community Medicine (AOR= 3.1 95% CI: 1.2- 7.7) and satisfaction with rural community posting, (AOR=2.1, 95% CI: 1.2- 3.9).
Conclusion: Majority of the students were unwilling to work in rural area after graduation. Knowing the need for doctors in rural practice, a re-orientation of the students on rural practice through adequate community exposure during rural posting is essential. There is also need for increased allowances for doctors working in rural areas and opportunities for training and or further studies should be encouraged.