Perceptions of the Medical Students towards the Learning Environment at the University of Kordofan, Western Sudan

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to explore the students’ perceptions of the learning (educational) environment at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kordofan; in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses as basement for the ongoing improvements. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among the 5th year medical students at the University of Kordofan, Western Sudan. A questionnaire was used to collect information on students’ gender, dormitory status, the study climate and their satisfaction of mentoring status. The study employed the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM). The collected data were then analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, (SPSS) version 26. Results: Out of the 150 registered 5th year medical students, a total of 108 participated in this study, with a response rate of 72%. Sixty-nine of the participants (64.5%) were females. The study questionnaire showed good reliability coefficient (Cronbach’s alpha) value of 0.873. The total DREEM mean score was 107.45 ± 17.56, indicating a more positive than negative response. The subscales of the students’ responses distribution had mostly indicated a more positive perception of the domains of the learning environment; students’ perception of learning (SPL) 61.4%, students’ perception of teaching (SPT) 72.2%, students’ academic self-perception (SAP)60.6%, and students’ social self-perception (SSP) 53.4%, with the exception of the students’ perception of atmosphere (SPA) where most of the students (62.7%) viewed it negatively. The study identified 18 items with weaknesses in the learning environment in need of prompt interventions. Conclusions: Perceptions of the medical students towards the learning environment at the University of Kordofan, Western Sudan are more positive than negative, and similar to the findings in developing countries. There are some weaknesses identified that need improvements