Mohsen Hassanabadi, Farah Madarshahian, Soheila Khazaei,
Volume 12, Issue 12 (3-2013)
Abstract
Introduction: Changing the focus of teaching from patient to community is an educational strategy. The effect of evidence based community visits for risk factors of Crimean-Congo fever on students’ learning was investigated in this study.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study in year 2010, 36 nursing students of Birjand University of Medical Sciences were selected through purposive sampling during a training course in a health center. They were randomly divided into two groups of experiment (evidence based visits, n=18) and control (traditional education, n=18) to teach Crimean fever risk factors. Data were gathered using two researcher-made questionnaires as pre-test and post-test. Knowledge on Crimean fever before and after visits on unhealthy animal slaughtering in experimental group, and in control group before and after traditional education was measured. Data was analyzed by Chi2, independent and paired t tests.
Results: The mean of total score of knowledge about Crimean fever in experimental group was 4.22±1.06 (out of 5) after intervention which was significantly increased compared to that of control group (3.05±1.47) (p=0.01). The mean of total score of knowledge about Crimean fever in experimental group was 4.22±1.06 after intervention which showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.001) compared to the pre-test scores (2.66±1.81).
Conclusion: Evidence based visits of Crimean fever risk factors in the community promotes learning. Therefore evidence based visits of appropriate subjects such as places and professions are suggested as a teaching strategy.
Farah Madarshahian, Mohsen Hassanabadi, Soheila Khazaei,
Volume 13, Issue 10 (1-2014)
Abstract
Introduction: The most important setting for teaching, specifically for difficult scientific topics, is classroom. Due to the uncertain results of previous investigations which are limited in number too, this study was implemented to compare attitude toward attendance in sessions and grades of associated courses for students with or without absence.
Methods: In this descriptive longitudinal study, 69 nursing freshmen of Birjand University of Medical Sciences at their first semester were selected through census sampling, and followed for six consecutive semesters (2009–2011). Students’ absence in 10 lessons taught by two researchers was confirmed and then students were divided into two groups “with absence” (3-4 permissible absence in a course of study) and “without absence” (One or at maximum two absence for a course of study). Data was gathered using a valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaire to determine students attitude (20 questions, Likert score: 1-5) toward classroom attendance, as well as a data collection form for absence and course grades. Data was analyzed using Chi2 and independent t-test.
Results: Mean score of students’ attitude “with absence” toward educational barriers of classroom attendance was (16.88±1.42 out of total score of 20) and higher than that of students without absence (15.47±2.02, p=0.003). Total attitude score of students “with absence” toward social barriers of classroom attendance (17.08±1.38) was higher than that of students without absence (15.95±1.91, p=0.012) but total attitude score of students without absence toward the benefits of classroom attendance was higher than that of students with absence (P=0.004). Total course score for the group “without absence” was higher than that of the group “with absence” (p=0.002).
Conclusion: Students absence was associated with lower grades. Balancing the number of courses and volume of training in semesters, reducing anxiety during teaching, promoting students’ interest in learning and field of study can be involved in reducing their absence.
