Conference of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria, fifty years post inception: Feedback from conference attendees

Introduction and Objectives: The Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Paediatrics Association of Nigeria has been a yearly event holding in different cities in Nigeria in the past 50 years. It is the largest gathering of child health care workers in the country and plays a major role in information dissemination as well as advocacy for the Nigerian child. This study set out to assess the perception of the conference attendees concerning key aspects of the conference. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was done on participants attending the 50th anniversary of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria Conference in Ibadan, Nigeria. A self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire designed by the authors was used to obtain sociodemographic and conference perception data. The data was analysed using SPSS version 20. Results: There were 133 respondents, 92 (69.2%) females and 41 (30.8%) males. 42.9% of respondents were Consultants. The study participants cut across the 6 geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Most, 92(69.2%) of the participants had attended the conference up to 3 times. The common reasons given for attending the conference were career growth(53.4%) and information gathering (27.1%). 106 (79.7%) of the participants reported that the oral abstract presentations were their most preferred aspect of the conference.52 (39.1%) of the participants were satisfied with all aspects of the conference while 6(4.5%) of the participants felt the accommodation arrangements for the conference should be improved upon. Suggestions made by participants of areas to be included in the schedule of activities during the conference included city touring, aerobics/sports and mentoring activities. While 51(38.3%) of the participants were unable to select the best of the paediatric conferences they have attended, 26 (19.5%) affirmed that the PAN conference in Abuja 2018 was their best. Conclusion: Career growth and the academic aspects of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria Conference are major attractions for conference attendance. The social and supporting aspects of the conference should be improved to boost attendees’ overall satisfaction.