Abstract

Objective: To identify the factors causing absenteeism in lectures where annual assessment is not conducted.
Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study with non-probability convenience sampling, was carried out on 100 students of fourth year MBBS from Rawal Institute of Health Sciences, Islamabad from March to October 2017. A close ended Questionnaire was filled by interview. Responses towards thirteen variables were noted, which were the factors causing absenteeism. Data were analyzed through Microsoft excel.
Result: Responses were; students do not take interest in classes of subjects having no annual assessment (79%). Absenteeism trend in classes held early in the morning (76%). Trend in classes held late in the afternoon (53%). Too much workload in lectures (72%). Duration of lecture is too long (82%). Incentive for attending class (60%). View on lectures of clinical classes; theoretical not practical (75%). Student stress is causative factor (72%). Students follow trend of seniors and don’t attend classes (40%). Teaching style is not good (58%). Teachers don’t notice whether the student attend the class or not (65%). Attendance does not influence grades (45%), Attendance of these classes helps anyways (57%).
Conclusion: Students were not interested in attending classes without having annual assessment. Besides the behavior of students, teacher’s attributes and teaching methodology play significant role. Elaborate studies should be conducted highlighting this issue and appropriate strategies should be designed and implemented, through counseling and workshops; focusing vulnerable students.

Key words: Cross sectional review, absenteeism, annual assessment.