Assessment of Socio-Demographic Indices Influencing Migration among Registered Nurses and Midwives to Developed Countries at Ring Road State Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State

Abstract

Background: The global health workforce crisis has been exacerbated by the migration of nurses and midwives from under-developed and developing countries to developed countries, resulting in significant shortages and disparities in healthcare delivery. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the factors that influence the migration decisions of nurses and midwives, and highlight the need for targeted policies to address the crisis in Nigeria.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess socio-demographic indices influencing migration among Registered Nurses and Midwives to developed countries at Ring Road State hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Methods: A descriptive study design was used in the conduct of the study. Using simple random techniques for selection of participants, one hundred and twelve nurses and midwives from secondary healthcare facility in Ibadan participated in the study. A self-structured questionnaire with reliability coefficient of 0.75 was used to collect data with the help of two research assistants. Ethical approval was obtained from the ethical review committee of Oyo state ministry of health and other appropriate authorities were met for the permission to conduct the study. The data was analysed using the SPSS version 26.

Result: Findings revealed that majority (73%) of the respondents expressed intention to migrate with most respondents being above 35 years (67.9%), married (90.8%), and having over 10 years of experience (64.2%). Social factors which include poor infrastructure (94.5%), personal (81%) and family (62%) as well as economic factors such as income (97.2%) and job opportunities for family members (79%); strongly influenced migration decisions. There was a significant relationship between respondent’s socio-demographic characteristics and their intention to migrate.

Conclusion: Respondent’s migration to developed countries is influenced by socio-demographic indices such as demographic factors, social factors, and economic factors, and the respondents are knowledgeable about the migration process. It is therefore recommended that competitive salaries, opportunity for career advancement, good working conditions should be provided for professional nurses and midwives to encourage retention and reduce the attraction of greener pastures in developed countries.