Millennium development goals-Knowledge and attainability as perceived by doctors: A case study

Objective: To audit the knowledge of doctors and evaluate their disposition toward the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Materials and Methods: Semi-structured questionnaires requesting information about knowledge of the acronym “MDGs” were administered on willing doctors at three tertiary health centers: University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre, Bida, and Federal Medical Centre, Yola. Data were analyzed using frequency tables and simple statistical methods. Results: One hundred and eighty-three doctors participated in the study, comprising 65 (35.5%) from Bida, 18 (9.8%) from Yola, and 100 (54.7%) from Ilorin, with a male to female ratio of 2:1 ( P < 0.05). Thirty-nine respondents (21.3%) had no fore knowledge of MDG ( P < 0.05). Only 77 (42.1%) of the respondents who had fore knowledge of “MDG” knew the number of goals to be eight (P < 0.05). Among those who had fore knowledge of MDG, only 34 comprising 15 (10.4%, Bida), 1 (0.7%, Yola), and 18 (12.5%, Ilorin) could correctly list a minimum of four of the MDGs ( P < 0.05). Only 12 (8.3%) of the respondents believed that the MDGs are very achievable. Conclusion: There is an absolute need for more elaborate publicity on the MDGs among doctors as they are key players if attaining the MDGs is to be a reality.