Factors affecting the Phase I academic performance of undergraduate students in Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna

Abstract

Introduction: Academic performance of students in medical school is affected by multiple student factors. Understanding these determinants is essential for educators to devise interventions that can help students manage stress and improve their academic performance. The aim of this study was to identify the effects of students’ socio-economic and educational factors and personal habits on Phase I (preclinical) academic performance. Methodology: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted among the students from two consecutive batches who had recently graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna. Institutional ethical approval was obtained. An online self-administered questionnaire and data extraction from faculty records were used. Academic performance was categorized into good (passed with 1st attempt) and poor (subsequent attempt). Data were analysed using the chi square test in SPSS 26.0. Results: 224 students took part in this study with the response rate of 78.6%. 59.8% of them were female. Good academic performance rate was (71.4%). Academic performance in Phase I was significantly influenced by factors such as gender, financial issues of the family, accommodation, medium of ordinary and advance level, having study group discussions, reviewing lecture material before and after the lectures and social media usage (p <0.05). Education, occupation of parents, and having medical professionals in the family, Advanced Level examination results, extracurricular activities, and exam preparation methods were not significantly correlated with Phase I academic performance (p >0.05). Conclusions: The study highlights the complex interplay of various socio-economic, educational, and personal factors affecting the academic performance of medical students. The identified factors which affect the academic performance of students should be taken into consideration when educators develop strategies to improve the academic performance of the students.