Background: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV), among a healthy university undergraduate population in south-western Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Relevant medical information of students who underwent the post-admission screening exercise for the year 2012, at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Health Center, Ogbomoso were extracted from the laboratory log book. All tests were done using rapid anti-HCV test kit by Health -Chem diagnostics, USA. A total of 1,572 students were included in the study. The mean age was 19.61 (± 2.75) years while the age range was 15-50 years. A total of 821 (52.20%), of the subjects were males while 751 (47.80%) were females. More than ninety nine percent (99.90%) of the subjects were aged 15-30 years, whereas those aged ≥31 years were comparatively few (0.60%). Results: Of the 1572 students, 6 tested positive, giving an overall prevalence of 0.40%. Three (0.37%) of the 821 male subjects tested positive while 3(0.40%) also of the 751 female subjects tested positive. Age-group 21-30 years had the highest prevalence of anti -HCV (0.50%), followed by agegroups ≤ 20 years with 0.30% prevalence. None of the subjects in age-groups 31-40 and ≥ 41 years tested positive. Conclusion: These observed differences were not statistically significant. The prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus is low among the young healthy undergraduate population in the south -western region of Nigeria.

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Copyrighted Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) is perhaps the most widely used and validated tool in assessing burnout among different occupations and health care professionals compared to the free to use Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) and Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI). This study aimed to determine the reliability and validity of these tools in comparison with MBI among a subset of Nigerian resident doctors. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A cross-sectional survey with reliability of the burnout scales calculated using Cronbach’s alpha. Construct validity was assessed by principal component analysis and correlating dimensions within each burnout tool with one another using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The criterion validity of each dimension was assessed for the ability of independent variables to predict their scores using multiple linear regression. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Copenhagen Personal Burnout dimension had the highest Cronbach’s alpha score of 0.91. MBI-Emotional Exhaustion had the highest correlations with Copenhagen Work-related, Copenhagen Personal-related, and Oldenburg Exhaustion burnout dimensions. Only the multiple regression models for Copenhagen personal (<i>p</i> = 0.04) and work-related (<i>p</i> = 0.02) burnout dimensions were significant, with the specialty of the residents being the significant independent variable in both models. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> CBI and OLBI have high internal consistency and reliability among the subset of resident doctors recruited into this study, CBI dimensions had the best predictive and construct validity and can be used as valid alternative to MBI.

BackgroundEarly career doctors (ECDs) are faced with many challenges due to their transition from undergraduate medical/dental studentship to being postgraduate doctors and being in an early phase of their career. The specific factors that affect ECDs in their careers and endeavors at the workplace range from poor remuneration, particularly in developing countries, to psychosocial problems (such as burnout [BO] syndrome). There is a dearth of information on BO among ECDs in Nigeria. This qualitative study aims to explore the opinions of ECDs in Nigeria on the causal/predisposing factors of BO, effects of BO, and strategies for mitigating BO among ECDs in Nigeria.MethodUsing purposive sampling method, two sessions of focus group discussions (FGDs) involving 14 ECDs (key informants) holding key leadership positions and who were delegates of other ECDs in Nigeria were conducted to explore their experiences on psychological issues among ECDs. Data collected were transcribed and analyzed thematically.ResultsBO is an issue of serious concern among ECDs in Nigeria. The causes of BO are diverse, some of which include low staff strength, prolonged work hours, wrong counseling, lack of job description and specification, and abuse of powers by trainers. In order to mitigate the issue of BO among ECDs, the respondents recommended that work policy review, medical workforce strengthening, stakeholder dialog on ECDs’ welfare, regular psychological review of ECDs, and provision of free yearly medicals need to be looked into. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that the participants considered BO issues among ECDs to be common, and it affected their performance and the overall quality of care in Nigeria health system. Based on our findings, there is an urgent need to mitigate the problem of emotional exhaustion among ECDs in Nigeria.