Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Nigerian Preclinical Students to Cadaver Dissection

Abstract

Studies by sociologists have found that no experience has a more profound impact on medical school students than the first encounter with death, which typically occurs during the first-year course of gross anatomy. This study was conducted to access the emotional state at first and during dissection of preclinical medical students. The survey spans a period of 18 months from May 2009-November, 2010 among 212 preclinical students of 2009 to 2010 academic sessions of Universities of Abuja and Maiduguri. It was a cohort study with data acquired with structured questionnaires analyzed by simple percentage methods. The results showed that there were no formal course/orientations/lectures offered to the students before first dissection. Most students were afraid, jittered, and sympathetic and believed that cadaver carries infection at first dissection. Students amongst others make noise, gossip and carelessly uncover dissected parts/bodies at dissections. Furthermore, most staff did not regularly assist students (at dissections). However, all students respect cadaver and acknowledge it importance in their studies. We conclude that a formal course on KAP of cadaver dissection should be introduced and made compulsory for all first year preclinical students. KAP study of cadaver dissection may differ from center to center and requires further evaluation.