FACTORS INFLUENCING MEDICAL STUDENTS' ATTENDANCE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Absence of students from the classroom is one of the emerging problems in the medical sciences since recent years. Failure to attend classes disrupts the dynamic teaching-learning environment and causes this environment to become boring and unpleasant. The aim of this study was to evaluate medical students' views on factors affecting their presence in classrooms in Continental Medical College
Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on medical students at Continental Medical College, Lahore. A non-probability convenience sampling technique was used. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire containing demographic questions, and 13 items on factors affecting student attendance in classrooms on a five-point Likert scale was used to collect data. Data was evaluated using SPSS 25.
Results: All 13 questions were categorized in 3 domains: Compulsory, Learning Outcomes, and Motivation. Descriptive statistics showed learning outcome as the major factor influencing student’s attendance followed by compulsory and motivation. Independent sample t test showed no significant difference between both genders. One way ANOVA test showed significant difference in all domains across years of study. Post Hoc Tukey HSD test showed 1st Year students are more likely to view attendance as compulsory and beneficial compared to students in later years.
Conclusion: The results indicate that while gender does not play a significant role in students' perceptions of class attendance, the year of study does. First-year students tend to have stronger perceptions of the necessity and benefits of attending classes, which may decrease as they progress through their medical education. This information could be valuable for developing targeted strategies to maintain or improve attendance rates throughout the MBBS program.