Awareness and International Migratory Intent Amongst Final Year Undergraduate Medical Students at the University of Ibadan

Abstract

International migratory intentions among undergraduate medical students is fast becoming a norm and crippling healthcare. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 158 medical and nursing undergraduate final-year students, who were selected using selective sampling technique. Hinged on the theory of the new economics of labour migration, neo-classical economics micro and macro-migration, migration intention, perception, and awareness of international migration and familial interaction were surveyed. The analysis and presentation of the study's data was in percentage distribution, frequency counts, charts, and a chi-square test of associations with a significance level of 0.05. Respondents were aged 21 to 36 with mean age of 25.1+3.0, females (52.5%) males (47.5%) of whom (93.0%) single and (7%) married. 64.6% were Christians, 34.8% Muslims. 88.0% of respondents considered working overseas after graduation, 48.1% possess information necessary to practice overseas, 74.7% have requested information about doing so, and 56.3% wish to work abroad. Interest accounted for 72.7% of all factors in choosing a course of study. The total programme quality was assessed at 89.2%, academic experience in the programmes 90.5%, instruction facility was evaluated at 67.1%. Main reasons for wanting to leave included 8.9% to further education, 8.2% unsettled environment, 7.6% economic problems and corruption, 6.3% job insecurity, 5.1% better career opportunities, arbitrary strikes and 7.6% expressed no intentions. The findings recommend that government should invest more in healthcare education, healthcare systems, eliminate industrial strike, provide suitable employment opportunities, enhance course of study, improve and maintain basic infrastructure, and foster a secured, hospitable enabling environment.

Keywords: Migration, Undergraduate, Intention, Awareness, Medical, Nursing

DOI: 10.7176/DCS/13-4-04

Publication date:June 30^th 2023