Continuous professional training of medical laboratory scientists in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Background. Training and re-training of healthcare workers is pivotal to improved service delivery.

Objective. To determine the proportion of practising medical laboratory scientists with in-service training in Benin City, Nigeria and areas covered by these programmes.

Methods. Medical laboratory scientists from Benin City (N=127) (public (n=79) and private (n=48) sectors) were recruited for this study. A detailed questionnaire was used to obtain relevant information from all enlisted participants.  

Results. Eighty-four (66.1%) of all medical laboratory scientist volunteers (N=127) reported to have attended an in-service training programme. This was significantly associated with gender (male v. female: 80.9% v. 58.8%; odds ratio (OR) 6.071; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.510 - 14.685; p<0.0001). Only 9/84 (10.7%) participants reported to have had at least one in-service training session during the last 12 months. Attendance was significantly affected by qualification (p=0.029), area of specialisation (p=0.003) and affiliation (p=0.005). Irrespective of affiliation, self-sponsorship of in-service training programmes was most frequently reported by study participants. Training received by respondents was mainly in instrumentation and diagnostic techniques.

Conclusion. Attendance of in-service training programmes during the last 12 months was poor. Training programmes were mostly funded by participants. Regular training of medical laboratory scientists by the relevant authorities and agencies is advocated.