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Research funding and access to medical literature among juni | 17995
International Research Journals

Research funding and access to medical literature among junior academic staff

Abstract

Orenuga O.O., Lesi O. A., Roberts A.A., Abudu O.O

The study assessed the access to biomedical literat ure and funds among junior academic staff in a medical college in Lagos. This is a cross-sectional study in which the 120 junior academic staff were evaluated. Data collection was by pre-tested self a dministered questionnaires distributed to the study population. There were 83/120 respondents (69.1%) f rom both basic and clinical sciences. There were 38 males (45.8%) and 45 females (54.2%). The modal age group was 31-40 years. There were significantly more lecturer I in clinical sciences compared with basic sciences (84.2% versus 55.6%, p = 0.015). Both groups had been actively involved with research which was reportedly funded by the researchers. International agencies were the common est sources of external funds for research, (54.8%). About one-third, 31.0% had insufficient kn owledge of the Central Research Committee. Access to bio-medical literature was a major proble m among the lecturers and over 50% found the college library inadequate. Significantly more basi c scientists used the library than clinical scienti sts, p=0.04. Lack of effective internet services was a m ajor constraint to effective communication and access to relevant literature by 75% of the subject s. There is an urgent need for more titles to be stocked (books, journals) and improved on-line data base. The College should assist in getting funds for research and ensure equity in distribution.

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