Knowledge and Attitude Regarding the Maternal-neonatal Intensive Care Unit Among Clinical Students at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

Background This study evaluated the knowledge and attitudes of clinical students at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, regarding Maternal-Neonatal Intensive Care Units (M-NICU), a specialized facility for high-risk mothers and newborns. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge and attitude of clinical students of the University of Ibadan regarding Maternal-Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 300 clinical students from Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, and Physiotherapy was conducted using a structured questionnaire. Results showed that only 53% were aware of M-NICU, primarily through school lectures (35.7%). While 82% correctly defined M-NICU, significant gaps existed: 78.7% lacked clinical exposure, 81.7% reported low confidence in their knowledge, and 62% were unfamiliar with conditions requiring M-NICU care. Attitudinally, 94.3% recognized M-NICU’s importance in improving outcomes, yet only 41.7% actively sought further learning. Career interest in M-NICU was modest (46%), and 44.3% felt confident communicating with parents of M-NICU patients. Negative perceptions were low, with most disagreeing that M-NICU was irrelevant (60.3%) or ineffective (61%). Conclusions The study reveals a critical gap in clinical education, emphasizing the need for curriculum integration, hands-on training, and awareness programs to enhance M-NICU knowledge and adoption. These findings provide actionable insights for improving neonatal care training in resource-limited settings.