Choosing to Specialise in Stomatology and Maxillofacial Surgery in Togo: Perception and Evaluation of Motivation among Final-Year Students in the Health Science Faculties
Introduction: We conducted this study to evaluate the perception and motivation of students in their choice of specialization in Stomatology and Maxillofacial Surgery at the end of their medical cycle in the health sciences faculties of the public universities of Lomé and Kara. Framework and Method: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study with prospective data collection on the perception and evaluation of the motivation of final-year students in their choice of specialization in Stomatology and Maxillofacial Surgery. This study was conducted from January to March 2024 in the Faculties of Health Sciences of the Universities of Lomé and Kara (TOGO). It included doctoral students in medicine. The parameters studied were: Socio-demographic aspects; personal or family history of intervention in the maxillofacial surgery department (MFS); elements of the perception of MFS by the students; and criteria motivating the choice or not of Stomatology and MFS. Results: Two hundred students were included, representing a participation rate of 46.18%. The average age of the students was 25.40 years, with extremes of 21 and 37 years. Seventy-five percent of the forms were male, giving a sex ratio of 3. Twenty-nine point nine percent of the students opted for Stomatology and Maxillofacial Surgery as their future specialization. The choice of surgery was not related to gender or age, but rather to professional status and level of education. Sixty-four point four percent of those who had opted for this specialization were in their sixth year, with a p-value of 0.001. Thirty-one civilian students opted for the specialization in Stomatology and MFS, with a p-value of 0.311; and 28 military students, with a p-value of 0.004. The main motivation was high income and prestige among colleagues. Unavailability of training and the stress of the specialty were the main discouraging factors. Conclusion: This study revealed considerable interest among medical students in specializing in maxillofacial surgery and stomatology. Suggestions should be considered with a view to increasing the number of maxillofacial surgeons in Togo.
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