Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although women have made remarkable strides in several medical specialties in Sub-Saharan
Africa, their presence and contribution to the development
of neurosurgery remain limited. We sought to study the
gender differences within Nigerian neurosurgery, identify
challenges resulting from these differences, and recommend how African female neurosurgeons can maximize
their effects in neurosurgery.
- METHODS: A structured online survey captured data on
neurosurgical infrastructural capacity, workforce, and
training from neurosurgical consultants and residents in
neurosurgical centers in Nigeria. All the collected data
were coded and analyzed.
- RESULTS: Altogether, 82 neurosurgical consultants and
67 neurosurgical residents from 50 primary medical institutions in Nigeria completed the online survey. Only 8 of
the respondents (5.4%) were women, comprising 3 consultants, 2 senior residents, and 3 junior residents.
Although 40.2% of the respondents did not believe that
being female affected the decision of whether to specializein neurosurgery, 46.3% believed that being female was a
disadvantage. Most did not believe that being female
affected admission (57.8%), completion of a neurosurgery
residency (58.5%), or life working as a neurosurgeon after
graduation (63.4%). The most common challenges women
face while navigating through neurosurgery training and
practice are erosion of family and social life, lack of female mentors, and lack of a workelife balance.
- CONCLUSIONS: There is a deficit of both female consultants and trainees among Nigerian neurosurgeons.
Identifying female medical students with a strong interest
in neurosurgery and providing early mentorship might increase the number of female neurosurgeons.