Factors Affecting Medical Laboratory Science Student's Preference for Specialization in Nigeria

¹Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria.

²Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Nigeria.

^*Corresponding Author

Bolaji Efosa ODIGIE

Histopathology Unit

Department of Medical Laboratory Science,

School of Basic Medical Sciences,

College of Medical Sciences,

University of Benin, Benin City,

Edo State, Nigeria.

Email: bolaji.odigie@uniben.edu

GSM: +2348023345132

Abstract

Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) students in higher institutions in Nigeria have been difficult in choosing their preferred area of specializations. Our study investigated the factors affecting MLS student’s specialization in the sub-discipline of the profession in Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design with a structured questionnaire was used for this survey. The questionnaire was validated and reliability test was conducted before a final draft copy. The study followed due ethics clearance and informed consent protocols, the collected data was analyzed using SPSS package version 16.0 and the level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Five hundred and five (505) respondents (students), 287 females and 218 males from 3 Universities presently accredited to admit MLS students in Edo State, Nigeria, participated in the survey. About 152 (53.1%) female and 92(42.2%) male students indicated that job description was the major factor affecting specialization in the various sub-fields of MLS. While, 215/505(42.57%) of the respondents indicated that occupational hazard is the main factor that discourages student’s decision towards specialization. The relationship between student’s sex and the discouraging factor was statistically significant at p < 0.001. Job description and occupational hazards associated with the various sub-specialties in MLS profession have been identified in this survey as the factors that may affect MLS students’ preference for specialization. We, therefore, recommend that further studies be conducted with a wider scope as all the potential factors may not have been critically evaluated in this study.

Keywords: Specialties in Medical Laboratory Science, clinical chemistry, haematology, histopathology & medical microbiology

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