Academic Failure in Health Students of Semnan University of Medical Sciences

Educational failure entails irreparable damage to the educational system, society, family and students, and resulting in frustration, humiliation, incompetence, negative self-concept, and sometimes suicide. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and factors affecting the academic failure in Health Faculty Students of Semnan University of Medical Sciences. In this observational, descriptive-analytic and cross-sectional study, 150 students of three health courses; Public, Occupational and Environmental health were selected through systematic random sampling. They filled out validated questionnaires. Based on the average and conditional terms, the students were divided into two categories; with and without academic failure. Data were analyzed by SPSS 22, using Chi-square, independent t-test and ANOVA at a significant level (p <0.05). The mean age of the students was 22.72 ± 3.4, and the academic failure prevalence rate was 12.7% which was most observed in females (14.44%) and in public health course (14.3%). The significant statistical relationship was observed between academic failure and marital status, educational term and level, diploma grade, being apart from parents, course selection, concentration and physical attendance of students in the classroom (p <0.05). Considering the relatively high prevalence of academic failure and the factors affecting it, it is necessary to take appropriate measures to motivate and increase the accuracy and concentration of students in the classroom, provide facilities and, most importantly, revise the criteria for student recruitment.