Millennium Development Goals: an assessment of awareness and perceptions of attainability by health workers in Owo, Nigeria.

AIM: To assess the awareness of the United Nations Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) by some Nigerian health workers and also their perceptions of the attainability of the goals.

SUBJECT AND METHODS: Through the means of a structured questionnaire served on 92 consenting health workers selected by stratified sampling technique ,information regarding their bio data, awareness of the millennium development goals (MDGs), the duration and source of the awareness and their perception of attainability of the goals were obtained. The feasibility of attainment of the goals was rated as: very attainable, attainable, and not attainable.

RESULTS: All the respondents were by then aware of the MDGs. Most of the respondents (57.6%) became aware within the preceding year, i.e., 2006; while only very few (2.2%) had been aware 6-7 years earlier (2000 and 2001). Some respondents (46.7%) got to know of MDGs through their colleagues while others (32.6%) got to know through the print and electronic media. The remaining others (20.7%) were informed through the sensitization efforts of the government and non-government agencies. The highest degree of optimism for the attainment ofMDGs were displayed largely for health related MDGs; i.e., the goals 4, 5 and 6.

CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS: Majority of the respondents were aware of MDGs. Most adjudged the attainment of MDGs feasible. The government and other stake holders should sensitize the populace, strengthen the health system and ensure equitable access to health care.