Study area and period
The study was conducted in Mizan Aman College of health science, Bench Maji zone, SNNPR from April 15 to May 15, 2018.
Study design
Institution based Cross-sectional study design was used to assess factors affecting academic performance of students at Mizan Aman college of health science.
Source Populations
All Mizan Aman college of health sciences students.
Study population
The study population included all randomly selected competency based exam exposed students in Mizan Aman College of health sciences.
Inclusion criteria
All Mizan Aman college of health sciences randomly selected students who exposed to competency based exam and voluntary to give their consent.
Exclusion criteria
Seriously sick students and non voluntary students to participate in the study were excluded.
Sample size determination
Sample size - Numbers of participants was be determined by using single population proportion formula. Since Proportion of factors affecting academic performance among health science college students was unknown by we took p=50%
n = z2α/2(pq)/d2.
so p was taken as 50% to get large sample size
n= [(1.96)2 (0.5 *0.5)]
(0.05)2
n= 384
n= 384 since the N < 10,000 finite population correction was used.
nf= 248
Adding 5% non- response rate, final sample size was 265
Sampling procedure and technique
Stratified sampling technique was used to reach final sample size. To get the representative sample; stratification was be done by departments including comprehensive Clinical nursing, Midwifery, Medical laboratory and Health information technology .Then it was stratified by their level as level III and IV from each . Finally proportional number of study participants was selected from each level of study using simple random sampling technique.
Data collection tools and techniques
Structured questionnaires adopted from tools used by other studies (30) had used to assess factors affecting students’ academic achievement ,(A) Socio demographic characteristics of students and their parents (B) Teaching learning factors (C), Institution related factors was used.
Dependent variable
Student’s academic performance
Independent variable
- Socioeconomic characteristics:- Age, Sex, Student marital status, Parental education level, Family income, Student income
- Teaching learning factors:- presence of motivation to learn, Length of time spent for study, Learning methodology used, Interest to learn in chosen department, presence of student on class, Expectation from department, understanding of teaching language, Satisfaction to learn in Academic environment, Students class Attendance regularly ,Student admission criteria, Attitude to study subject matter, Library use ,Habit of Substance use , Living condition Distance away from college ,Subject matter understanding by teachers, teachers skill to Taught, instructors initiation to taught, Instructors assessment method, presence of guidance and tutorial
Quality assurance
The instruments was prepared in English language and translated back to Amharic and re- translated back to English to check consistency of the instrument. Moreover, the instruments used in the study were pre-tested on 5% of level 3 students on Aman polytechnic college. The 6 data collectors and 3 supervisors was trained, demonstrated, and practiced the data collection technique to be familiar with the tools. The data was checked by supervisors about their completeness and missed values.
Data analysis
Data was entered using Epi- Data version 3.1 and then exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis purpose. Before analysis, missing values checked and new categories were created as needed. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentage) was performed. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the crude association between dependent variable with each independent variable. Those exposure variables with p-value <0.25 were entered in to multivariable logistic regression analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to see each independent predictors variables by controlling confounders for the occurrence of postnatal depression; Adjusted odds ratio at 95% CI with p-value<0.05 was used to identify statistically significant association between dependent and independent variables.
Operational definition
Student’s academic performance: good academic performance was measured by scoring 18 and above in theory and declared satisfactory in skill examination i.e competent otherwise non-competent.
Ethical considerations
Prior to data collection, ethical clearance was obtained from the research Ethical review board of Mizan Aman College of health science. The benefit and full right not to take part in the study as well right to withdraw during interview was clearly stated. Confidentiality was maintained by using anonymous questionnaire and privacy was assured during interview.
Data collectors asked Amharic version of questionnaires after obtaining informed verbal and written consent from each participant.
Limitations of the study
This study doesn’t measure the continuous academic performance of the student since it measures one point of time performance of student.