A journey through rural community radiography practice in South-South Nigeria: radiographers' perceptions, willingness and barriers

Authors

  • MP Ogolodom
  • AN Mbaba
  • BU Maduka
  • CJ Iloka
  • OF Erondu
  • UN Eja-Egwu
  • N Alazigha
  • EB Egop
  • VK Nwodo
  • RO Akhigbe

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54450/saradio.2023.61.2.731

Keywords:

barriers, communities, radiography, rural

Abstract

Introduction. The lack and retention of healthcare professionals in rural areas has become a serious concern to the health sector globally. Retaining health staff in rural areas has proven difficult as young professionals prefer urban postings. This study aimed to assess radiographers’ perceptions, willingness and barriers to work in rural areas of Rivers State. 

Method. This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among radiographers in Rivers State. The participants’ socio-demographic variables and their responses to perceptions, willingness and barriers to work in rural areas were obtained and analysed. 

Results. Only 30% (n=12) of the participants were willing to work in the rural areas of Rivers State. The majority of the participants (95%; n=38) indicated they were willing to work in rural areas due to the incentive they received in the form of extra remuneration. Most participants indicated that unfavourable working conditions (88%; n=35), poor housing (85%; n=34) and militant activities (88%; n=35) in rural areas, as well as their marital status (55%; n=22) as reasons for being unwilling to work in these areas in Rivers State. There were statistically significant relationships between the participants’ willingness to work in the rural areas of Rivers State and their biological sex (χ2 = 48.000, p=0.000), years of working experience (χ2 = 47.500, p=0.000), marital status (χ2 = 84.966, p=0.000) and age (χ2 = 76.758, p=0.021). 

Conclusion. The results of this study suggest that the majority of the radiographers were not willing to work in the rural areas of Rivers State. The main reasons identified are unfavourable working conditions, poor housing, militant activities and marital status. It was found that financial inducement could influence participants’ willingness to work in rural areas.

Downloads

Published

2023-11-25

Issue

Vol. 61 No. 2 (2023)

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright on all published material belongs to the Society of Radiographers of South Africa (SORSA).

I hereby understand and declare that:

  • All proprietary rights other than copyright are reserved to the authors, as well as the right to reproduce original figures and tables from this item in their future works, provided full credit is given to the original publication The South African Radiographer ISSN 0258 0241.
  • In consideration of the reviewing and editing done by the editors of The South African Radiographer of the above named manuscript, the author/s hereby transfer, assign, or otherwise convey all copyright ownership world-wide, in all languages, to the Society of Radiographers of South Africa in the event that this manuscript is accepted for publication.
  • If the manuscript has been commissioned by another person or organisation, or if it has been written as part of the duties of an employee, that full authorization has been given by the representative of the commissioning organisation or employer to be published in the The South African Radiographer.