Survey of Educational Drop-out Indexes and its Related Factors in Alumni of Paramedical Faculty of Kashan Medical University

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Educational dropout is one of the problems of educational system. The educational drop-out prevention and its complications require recognition of the probability risk factors. So, this study is carried out in order to assess the indexes of educational drop-out and its related factors in alumni of paramedical faculty of Kashan medical University, Iran.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on the entire alumni from 1990-2003 (n=1439). The questionnaire including probability related factors and the indexes of educational drop-out (probation, unacceptable total average, lesson repeating, major changing, withdrawing, ejection from university, education leaving and delay in graduating) was used. FINDINGS: Prevalence of probation, unacceptable total average and delay in graduating were 9.2% (n=133), 14.5 % (n=209), and 14.1% (n=203), respectively. The utmost probation frequency was related to first and then second semester. Delay duration was only one semester in 152 (10.56%). 413 (28.7%) had repeated lesson that 227 (15.8%) had repeated only one lesson. Prevalence of major changing, withdrawing, ejection from university and education leaving were 2% (n=29), 0.9% (n=13), 0.4% (n=6), and 0.6% (n=9), respectively. There was an association between demographic data, prior educational status, and admission criteria with academic drop-out. CONCLUSION: With attention to the considerable prevalence of educational drop-out and its risk factors, diagnosing and supporting of the vulnerable students is a must.

Keywords

• educational drop-out
• academic failure
• academic performance
• medical sciences education