Doctors' Knowledge, Comprehension, Attitude to and Application of Ethical Principles in Child Healthcare in a
T P West1, P N Tabansi2, I Yarhere2
1Department of Paediatrics, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Background And Objectives:
Due to the prevailing socio-cultural and religious affiliations, Paediatricians in sub-Saharan Africa face unique ethical dilemmas. An understanding and application of the ethical principles can help prevent and resolve these dilemmas, and improve child health indices. The objective is to determine the knowledge, attitude and practical applications of non-maleficence and beneficence by child-care doctors at a Teaching Hospital.
Methods:
This is a questionnaire-based study. Socio-demographics, knowledge and attitude towards the ethical principles, and its utilisation by doctors in childcare was sought. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results:
294 doctors participated. The mean percentage knowledge score of nonmaleficence and beneficence was 31.00±21.14, significantly higher among doctors in Paediatrics (39.35±23.44, p=0.0001). For every decrease in professional rank, knowledge score decreased by 3.8224 (95% CI -5.824 - -1.819; p=0.0001). The doctors had a high mean percentage score on attitude towards ethics of 74.79±16.34, and for every increase in years of practice, attitude towards ethics score would increase by 2.922 (95% CI 1.133 to 4.711, p=0.001). There was a low practice score of 34.27±20.07. Majority (69%) encountered less than one dilemma a month. More than 90% of doctors had encountered dilemmas involving the principle of non-maleficence [184 (90.6%)], while 154 (75.9%) involved beneficence.
Conclusion:
Most respondents have a low level of knowledge and practice of the principles of nonmaleficence and beneficence. Their excellent attitude implies their willingness at improving their knowledge and practice.
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