Attitudes of Environmental Health and Occupational Health Students Toward Their Discipline and Future Career in Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in 2012

The raise of environmental and occupational health graduates followed by scarce employment has developed a concern about these disciplines and future career among students. This study was performed with the aim of determining environmental health and occupational health students'' attitude toward their disciplines and future career in Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in 2012.

All environmental and occupational health freshmen of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences studying for a segregated or integrated Bachelor’s Degree in 2012-2013 participated in this descriptive cross-sectional study through census (n=156). The data gathering tool was Minnesota University questionnaire including 17 questions، using a Likert scale. Data were analyzed using t-test and chi-square test.

The mean and standard deviation of environmental students'' attitude toward their future career was 50. 7±9. 7 (out of 85). Also mean and standard deviation of occupational students'' attitude was 53. 3±6. 9. Mean and standard deviation of environmental health students'' attitude in men was 58±8. 4، But these parameters in women were 49. 7±9. 7. On the other hand، mean and standard deviation of occupational health students'' attitude toward their future career was 53. 3±7. 6 in men and 53. 2± 6. 7 in women.

The mean score for attitude of environmental health under investigation toward their discipline and future career was lower than acceptable level which demonstrates lack of desirable attitude toward future career among students. The authorities should pay special attention to creating jobs for these students. Curriculum improvement should also be seriously considered in order to increase the students’ competence. Also، informing students about university disciplines before they take the entrance examination، and supporting the students financially may prove helpful in improving their attitudes.