Exploring artificial intelligence in the Nigerian medical educational space: An online cross-sectional study of perceptions, risks and benefits among students and lecturers from ten universities.

Background: The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) has been compared to that of the Internet and printing, evoking both apprehension and anticipation in an uncertain world. Objective: This study aimed to explore the perceptions of medical students and faculty members from ten universities across Nigeria regarding AI. Methods: Using Google Forms and WhatsApp, a cross-sectional online survey was administered to clinical year medical students and their lecturers from ten medical schools representing all the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Results: The survey received 1003 responses, of which 708 (70.7%) were from students and 294 (29.3%) were from lecturers. Both groups displayed an average level of knowledge, with students (Median:4, range -5 to 12) significantly outperforming lecturers (Median:3, range -5 to 15). Social media (61.2%) was the most common form of first contact with AI. Participants demonstrated a favourable attitude towards AI, with a median score of 6.8 out of 10. Grammar checkers (62.3%) were the most commonly reported AI tool used, while ChatGPT (43.6%) was the most frequently mentioned dedicated AI tool. Students were significantly more likely than lecturers to have used AI tools in the past but <5% of both groups had received prior AI training. Excitement about the potential of AI slightly outweighed concerns regarding future risks. A significantly higher proportion of students compared to lecturers believed that AI could dehumanise health care (70.6% vs. 60.8%), render physicians redundant (57.6% vs. 34.7%), diminish physicians' skills (79.3% vs. 71.3%) and ultimately harm patients (28.6% vs. 20.6%). Conclusion: The simultaneous fascination and apprehension with AI observed among both lecturers and students in our study mirrors the global trend. This finding was particularly evident in students who, despite possessing greater knowledge of AI compared to their lecturers, did not exhibit a corresponding reduction in their fear of AI.

Prevalence and predictors of low back pain in a Southern Nigerian hospital.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is the most common musculoskeletal disease in adults. The data on LBP from Sub-Saharan Africa are inadequate. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and analyze the predictors of LBP among hospital staff in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Materials and Methods: The study participants were recruited using an opt-in approach, with the aim of including representative numbers from each professional cadre. Each participant gave formal consent. Ethical clearance was obtained. Results: Five hundred and sixty-three participants with the mean age of 36.0 ± 8.3 years and 62% female were interviewed. The point prevalence of LBP was 234 (42% [95% confidence interval [CI]: 37%-45%]). Profession was a significant predictor of LBP (P = 0.001) - nurses (53% [95% CI 43%-63%]), administrative officers (49% [95% CI 40%-59%]), engineers (50% [95% CI 24%-76%]), and health information staff (50% [95% CI 26%-75%]) had the highest prevalence. In univariate regression, female gender, increasing age, body mass index ≥25 kg/m2, and frequently adopting a bending posture, were significantly associated with LBP, while in multivariate regression, only the female gender was a significant predictor. Conclusion: The pattern of both the professions at risk, due to the well-known mechanisms of poor ergonomics, and the marked risk for the female gender, in the hospital setting, suggest underresourced work and societal environments as the underlying factors-more research is needed.

RésuméContexte: La douleur dans le bas du dos est la maladie musculeux-squelettique la plus commune parmi les adultes. Les données sur la douleur dans le bas du dos de l'Afrique sub-saharienne ne sont pas adéquates. Le but de cette communication était est d'évaluer la prévalence et d'analyser les indicateurs de la douleur dans le bas du dos parmi les travailleurs dans l'hôpital tertiaire au Nigeria. Methodes: Les participants de l'étude ont été sélectionnés à travers l'approche opt-in, pour bien représenter les gens de chaque niveau professionnel. Chaque participant a donné son consentement. L'autorisation éthique a été obtenue. Resultats: Cinq cents soixante-trois participants de l'âge moyen de 36.0 ± 8.3 et 62% de femelles ont été interviewés. Le point de prévalence de la douleur dans le bas du dos était 234 [42% (95% CI 37 ­ 45%)]. La profession est un indicateur important de la douleur dans le bas du dos (P - 0.001) ­ les infirmiers [53% (95% CI 43 ­ 63%)], les directeurs administratifs [49% (95% CI 40 ­ 59%)], les ingénieurs [50% (95% CI 24 ­ 76%)] et les travailleurs de l'information de santé [50% (95% CI 26 ­ 75%)] ont eu la plus prévalence. Dans la régression univariée, sexe féminin, l'âge croissant, IMC ≥ 25kg/m2 et adoptant fréquemment une posture de flexion, ont été associés à la douleur dans le bas du dos, tandis que dans la régression multivariée, seulement le sexe féminin était un indicateur important. Conclusion: Le schéma des deux professions sont à risque dû aux mécanismes bien reconnus de pauvres ergonomiques, et le risque marqué pour le sexe féminin, en milieu hospitalier, suggère un travail sous financé et les environnements de société en tant que facteurs sous-jacents - plus de recherche est nécessaire.

Prevalence and predictors of low back pain in a Southern Nigerian hospital

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is the most common musculoskeletal disease in adults. The data on LBP from Sub-Saharan Africa are inadequate. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and analyze the predictors of LBP among hospital staff in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Materials and Methods: The study participants were recruited using an opt-in approach, with the aim of including representative numbers from each professional cadre. Each participant gave formal consent. Ethical clearance was obtained. Results: Five hundred and sixty-three participants with the mean age of 36.0 ± 8.3 years and 62% female were interviewed. The point prevalence of LBP was 234 (42% [95% confidence interval [CI]: 37%­45%]). Profession was a significant predictor of LBP (P = 0.001) ­ nurses (53% [95% CI 43%­63%]), administrative officers (49% [95% CI 40%­59%]), engineers (50% [95% CI 24%­76%]), and health information staff (50% [95% CI 26%­75%]) had the highest prevalence. In univariate regression, female gender, increasing age, body mass index ≥25 kg/m2, and frequently adopting a bending posture, were significantly associated with LBP, while in multivariate regression, only the female gender was a significant predictor. Conclusion: The pattern of both the professions at risk, due to the well-known mechanisms of poor ergonomics, and the marked risk for the female gender, in the hospital setting, suggest underresourced work and societal environments as the underlying factors-more research is needed

Pre-internship Nigerian medical graduates lack basic musculoskeletal competency.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to assess the basic musculoskeletal competency of pre-internship graduates from Nigerian medical schools. METHODS: We administered the Freedman and Bernstein basic musculoskeletal competency examination to 113 pre-internship graduates from seven Nigerian medical schools over a three year period from 2008 to 2010 at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. Five specialist residents took the examination to test criteria relevance. RESULTS: All graduates failed this test, obtaining scores ranging from 7% to 67%. The duration of the orthopaedic posting, and observation of operative fracture fixation, were not significant determinants of the score. The two final-year specialist residents each had a marginal pass in the examination. CONCLUSION: Basic musculoskeletal competency among pre-internship Nigerian medical-school graduates is inadequate.