Investigation of Examination Malpractice and its Impact on the productivity of Nursing and Midwifery profession in Benin Metropolis

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate examination malpractice and its impact on the productivity of nursing and midwifery profession in Benin metropolis. In order to achieve this objective, five research questions and four hypotheses were raised and tested. The design for the study was a descriptive survey. The population of the study comprised of two hundred and nine (209) final year students in 3 training schools preparing for the Nursing and Midwifery Council qualifying examination and all ninety-five (95) senior nurses from University of Benin Teaching Hospital and St. Philomena Hospital all in Benin metropolis. Due to the small size of the entire population, all the final year students in the 3 training schools preparing for the Council qualifying examination and all the senior nurses in the two hospitals all in Benin Metropolis was the sample size totalling three hundred and four (304). The research instrument used was a structured questionnaire. The research questions were analysed using descriptive mean and standard deviation while the hypotheses were tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistics. The data analysed and juxtaposed showed that examination malpractice has no significant impact on nursing and midwifery education in Benin Metropolis, gender has a significant influence on examination malpractice in Benin Metropolis, quality of teaching has a significant influence on examination malpractice in Benin Metropolis and examination malpractice has no significant impact on the productivity of nursing and midwifery profession in Benin Metropolis. The following recommendations were made. The implementation of extant laws on examination malpractice by the government by enforcing the 21 year jail term stipulated by decree 29 of 1984. Establishment of a functioning counselling unit with adequate provision of guidance and counselling services in all schools of nursing and midwifery to minimize the incidence of examination malpractice enhance performance and improve the overall health of the students. Integration of examination malpractice in the school curriculum as one of the compulsory courses by stakeholders should be considered in all the institutions of nursing and midwifery to create continuous awareness in students. Provision of conducive environment for teaching and learning with adequate facilities and competent lecturers in each school is recommended as this will go a long way in curbing the menace. The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, the regulatory body for nurses and midwives could consider adopting this model in Nursing and Midwifery Institutions in Nigeria.