Study design
This is a descriptive cross-sectional university-based study aiming to investigate knowledge and attitudes towards stem cells among students in the medical field in Sudan. The study was conducted during the period between January and October 2023.
Study setting
10 of the top universities in Sudan were included in this study, both private and governmental: the University of Khartoum, the University of Medical Science and Technology, the University of Ibn Sena, Elrazi University, Al Nilain University, Ahfad University of Women, Al Zaeem Al Azhari University, Sudan International University, the University of Science and Technology, and Omdurman Islamic University.
Study population
In terms of the inclusion criteria, students at the final and semifinal levels studying the following majors: medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, and medical laboratories were included in the study for both males and females. Students at other academic levels were excluded from the study.
Sample size estimation
The sample size was calculated based on Cochrane's formula for sample size estimation (n = z2pq/e2), where n is the minimum required sample size, z is the desired confidence interval (95%), p is the proportion, q = 1 − p, and e is the desired level of precision (5%). We have taken 50% as the population proportion (p) to estimate the sample size for the present study. The sample size was estimated to be a minimum of 385. A total of 395 participants were enrolled in the study.
Data collection methods and tools
Convenience sampling was used. An online, self-administered questionnaire was delivered to the participants on WhatsApp and Telegram. Before filling out the questionnaire, the participants were asked to give informed consent. By answering the question, I agree to participate in this study.
Data collection instrument:
The questionnaire used in this study was structured according to previous literature.
The reliability of the instrument used was ensured by conducting a pilot study in which the knowledge section showed a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.788 and the attitude section showed a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.622.
The first part of the questionnaire included demographic data (age, gender, religion, university, major, and educational level).
The second part of the questionnaire was comprised of 19 questions.
The section started with a question inquiring about the participant's source of knowledge about stem cells.
10 questions were used to evaluate basic knowledge about stem cells, 4 questions to evaluate the knowledge of the potential application of stem cells, and another 4 questions to evaluate the knowledge of therapeutic uses of stem cells.
The respondents had to use (true, false, or I don’t know) for each item in this section.
Regarding the knowledge scoring, correct answers were given a score of 1, wrong answers, or I don’t know if answers were given a score of zero. The total score ranges between 0 and 18 (a score of 0 to 6 was interpreted as poor knowledge, 7 to 12 as average knowledge, and 13 to 18 as good knowledge).
The third part of the questionnaire consisted of 13 questions to evaluate the students’ attitude toward stem cells and their clinical applications. The responses were recorded on a 5-point Likert scale: strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree, and strongly disagree.
Regarding attitude scores, positively written statements were scored as follows: (Strongly agree = 4, Agree = 3, Neutral = 2, Disagree = 1, Strongly disagree = 0) For negative written statements, the score was reversed (Strongly agree = 0, Agree = 1, Neutral = 2, Disagree = 3, Strongly disagree = 4). The total score ranges from 0 to 56 (a score from 0 to 18 = negative attitude, 19 to 37 = neutral attitude). 38 to 56 (positive attitude)
Data collection, management, and analysis
Questionnaires were refined and managed carefully; completeness was checked before data entry. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, USA) version 21.0 was used for data entry and analysis. Descriptive data of the study were presented as frequency (n) and percentage, and quantitative data were presented as mean and standard deviation (SD). The data were presented using tables and figures. Data was further analyzed using cross-tabulations and Chi-square tests, and P values of less than 0.05 were considered “statistically significant” in this study.