Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Obstetrics and Gynaecology Residency Training in Nigeria

Abstract

Context: The bid to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the reduction of several Obstetric and Gynaecological services with possible impairment in training. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Obstetrics and Gynaecology residency training program in Nigeria.

Methods and Materials: This was a cross-sectional study. An online invitation to participate in the study as well as the study link was sent to Obstetrics and Gynaecology residents in 42 training institutions in Nigeria via residents’ WhatsApp groups and emails. The study questionnaire was completed anonymously by consenting residents. Univariable logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on residents’ clinical services and teaching activities as well as on the psychological wellbeing of the residents.

Results: Two hundred and twenty-one residents completed the survey. Sixty-seven percent of the residents were aged between 31-40 years while eighty-five percent of the residents were training in COVID-19 reference hospitals. Fifty-nine percent and 66.9% of the residents reported significant reduction in general clinical practice and teaching activities respectively during the COVID-19 pandemic. Logistic regression analysis showed that the level of general reduction in clinical practice and the degree of mood impairment were not significantly associated with the residents’ characteristics.  

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has considerably reduced clinical and academic training exposure of Obstetrics and Gynaecology residents in Nigeria.

Keywords: Covid-19 Pandemic, Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Residency training, Nigeria