Equitable access to global health internships: A pilot programme at the World Health Organization Headquarters (WHO-HQ)

Abstract

MD3 students participated; 62% male; 62% < 25 years; and 72% direct from secondary school students. Overall, 81% MD3 students were satisfied with rural rotations,(sCns¼ 83%). Likelihood of accepting to be deployed in rural practice after graduation was predicted by being satisfied with the rural rotation program (AOR, 4.32; 95% CI, 1.44-12.96; p, 0.009) and being male (AOR, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.09-6.84; p, 0.032). Also, being an in-service student increased the likelihood of accepting rural practice after graduation by 300% compared to enrolment direct from school, although the difference was not significant (AOR, 4.99; 95% CI, 0.88-28.41; p, 0.070). 29% of variation was explained these variables (Nagelkerke R2, 0.289). However, students who joined school after health-related practice were almost 3X more likely to be satisfied than students direct from school, with no significant difference (COR, 2.6; 95% CI, 0.7-9.4; p, 0.310). Likewise, in-service students were more 2X more likely to be satisfied than direct from school students with insignificant difference (COR, 2.4; 95% CI, 0.9-6.4; p, 0.073). No significant difference was exhibited for students born in rural or urban areas. Going Forward: The rural rotation program increased the likelihood of rural practice after graduation. More effort should be undertaken to further improve the program to increase student satisfaction with rural rotations, and hence likelihood for rural practice after graduation.