• O A Lesi, O O Orenuga, A Roberts, and O O Abudu.
• Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, PMB 12003, Idi-Araba, Lagos.
• Nig Q J Hosp Med. 2009 Apr 1; 19 (2): 119-24.

BackgroundThe research productivity of medical faculty has been well studied in developed countries, unlike in the developing countries.ObjectivesThis study proposes to assess the level of research productivity over a 2 year period and identify the challenges to conducting research among junior academic staff of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos.MethodsAn observational cross-sectional study in which the 120 junior academic staff from both basic sciences and clinical sciences were evaluated between January and September 2005. Data collection was by self-administered questionnaires distributed to the study population.ResultsThere were 83 (69.1%) respondents comprising 38 males (45.6%) and 45 females (54.2%). The median age group was 31-40 years. Most respondents (57, 83%) spent less than 10 hours/week on research. On average they had completed 3-4 scholarly articles within the past 2 years. Nineteen (21.7%) of the subjects were considered to have optimal research productivity having completed over 5 scholarly research papers. The lecturers with optimal research productivity were significantly more likely to be male, and spent over 10 hours a week in hospital related clinical and laboratory related activities. (p = 0.02, and p = 0.03). Inadequate funding and laboratory facilities, and poor technological infrastructure were the most common causes of impediments to research reported by 78%, 69% and 55% of the lecturers respectively.ConclusionOptimal research productivity was seen in about one quarter of the study population and was associated with male gender and prolonged duration of clinical/laboratory activities. Negligible research financing and poor laboratory support were major impediments to research productivity.

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