The geographical distribution of physicians in Oyo State, Nigeria.

The distribution of physicians in the different States of Nigeria is unknown. Recently, data about physicians and their practice location in Oyo State became available. The overall physician:population ratio was 1:7,858, with a ratio of 1:3,877 in Ibadan local government areas and 1:27,439 in other local government areas in the state (z = 9.32, p < 0.001). Similarly, specialists are more likely to locate in Ibadan local government areas. With increasing supply of physicians, this pattern of distribution may possibly persist and widen the differences in the availability of physicians between the Ibadan and other local government areas in the state. Our findings have important implications for policy review by the government to plan the future supply of physician manpower and alleviate physician maldistribution.