Global Surgery Awareness and Career Aspirations Among Medical Students in Sudan: A University-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background Surgical care in Sudan is limited by many factors, rendering a large proportion of the population at risk for preventable death and disabilities. Global surgery can guide resource allocation and provide innovative solutions to problems unique to Sudan’s setting. However, there is limited knowledge regarding medical students' interest in the field. This study aims to determine the perception of global surgery among medical students in Khartoum University, Sudan. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted among fifth- and sixth-year medical students in Khartoum University. The study employed a stratified sampling technique to select study participants, where each academic year was considered a stratum. The data were collected via a self-administered online questionnaire on Google Forms. Data analysis was done using SPSS v. 25. Results The study included 183 students, 123 (72.13%) of whom were females, and 106 (57.92%) were sixth-year students. Only 26 (14.21%) of students had been exposed to the global surgery field. Among those without previous exposure to global surgery, 83 (45.36%) were interested in being exposed to the field. Regarding career prospects, 24 students were interested in global surgery. Students with previous exposure to global surgery had a higher interest in pursuing it as a career (p-value 0.001), with 30.8% stating they agree or strongly agree compared to 10.2% among students without previous exposure. Linear regression revealed that students' age (β = 0.129, p = 0.043), their familiarity with global surgery (β = 0.186, p = 0.005), and perception regarding the feasibility of global surgery (β = 0.606, p < 0.001) were positive predictors of career interest in global surgery. Conclusion This study highlights a gap in exposure and interest in global surgery. It also highlights the association between exposure to global surgery and career prospects. Incorporating global surgery education into medical curricula could help develop specialised expertise in the field. Such integration can strengthen the surgical healthcare system and help address persistent challenges in Sudan. Also, educational initiatives must prioritise enhancing students’ confidence and belief in the feasibility of global surgery in resource-limited settings.