Factors Relating to Incentive of Continuing Postgraduate Degrees Among Undergraduate Students in Health Faculty at Shahroud University of Medical Sciences

The present research was a cross- sectional study and aimed to determine the factors associated with motivation for continuing education among health science students, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences in 2014. The study population was all faculty students of Public Health department. Questionnaires including 43 questions on individual, family, economic and social factors were completed by 279 people; then data analysis was performed using SPSS19 software. Based on findings, 75.6%, 72.4% and 68.4% of occupational, environmental and public health students respectively stated the positive motivation regarding to achieve higher academic degrees. From the perspective of the majority of environmental health students, development of practical skills (82.8%) and family desire for student’ further education (62.2%); from the perspective of the majority of occupational students, the use of all the facilities for further education (71.8%); and in opinion of public health students, increased knowledge and awareness(76.5%) and family desire for student’ further education (71.8%); and finaly from the perspective of the majority of occupational and public health students, the wish to study in other fields was noted as motivational reinforcement factor of higher education. To this end, from the perspective of the majority of environmental health students, lack of proper planning was mentioned as barrier for motivation of higher education. according to this results, it was showed that individual and family factors were more important factors in motivation of higher education. Therefore, Strengthen training programs, counseling and support in justifying the students’ education and future career can be useful and plays an effective role in strengthening their attitudes.