Impact of Locus of Control and Job Type on the Perception of Autopsy among Medical and Nonmedical Workers in a Nigerian Tertiary Health Institution

• Main Authors: Uwom Okereke Eze, Mfon E Ineme, Helen O Osinowo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2016-01-01
• Series: Journal of Forensic Science and Medicine
• Subjects: Autopsy; hospital workers; job type; locust of control; perception
• Online Access: http://www.jfsmonline.com/article.asp?issn=2349-5014;year=2016;volume=2;issue=3;spage=136;epage=140;aulast=Eze

The impact of locus of control and job type on the perception of autopsy among medical and nonmedical workers in University College Hospital, Ibadan, was investigated. Ninety-two medical and 46 nonmedical workers from the hospital participated in the study. An ex post facto design was used. The Autopsy Perception Scale and Locus of Control Scale were used as instruments. The t-test result (t[136] = −2.03; P < 0.05) showed that hospital workers with an internal locus of control reported to have a more positive perception of autopsy than those with an external locus of control; the t-test result (t[136] = −2.29; P < 0.05) showed that medical workers reported a more positive perception of autopsy than nonmedical workers. However, the t-test result (t[136] = −0.82; P > 0.05) showed that there was no significant difference between workers who had had an autopsy conducted on their deceased relatives and those who had not. The results were discussed in line with existing literature.