Millennium development goals-knowledge and attainability as perceived by doctors: a case study.
OBJECTIVE
To audit the knowledge of doctors and evaluate their disposition toward the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).


METHODS
Semi-structured questionnaires requesting information about knowledge of the acronym "MDGs" were administered on willing doctors at three tertiary health centers: University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre, Bida, and Federal Medical Centre, Yola. Data were analyzed using frequency tables and simple statistical methods.


RESULTS
One hundred and eighty-three doctors participated in the study, comprising 65 (35.5%) from Bida, 18 (9.8%) from Yola, and 100 (54.7%) from Ilorin, with a male to female ratio of 2:1 (P < 0.05). Thirty-nine respondents (21.3%) had no fore kowledge of MDG (P < 0.05). Only 77 (42.1%) of the respondents who had fore knowledge of "MDG" knew the number of goals to be eight (P < 0.05). Among those who had fore knowledge of MDG, only 34 comprising 15 (10.4%, Bida), 1 (0.7%, Yola), and 18 (12.5%, Ilorin) could correctly list a minimum of four of the MDGs (P < 0.05). Only 12 (8.3%) of the respondents believed that the MDGs are very achievable.


CONCLUSIONS
There is an absolute need for more elaborate publicity on the MDGs among doctors as they are key players if attaining the MDGs is to be a reality.
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. rasheedadegboye@yahoo.com
O A
OA
Adegboye
M A
MA
Adeboye
S A
SA
Erinle
N D
ND
Nwachukwu
F K
FK
Salawu
N J
NJ
Sajo
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006292:Health Priorities; D040361:Healthy People Programs / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010820:Physicians; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014480:United Nations