<p>Academic Achievements in National Competence Assessment Among Health Extension Students in Regional Health Science Colleges, Amhara Region, Ethiopia</p>

Abstract

Background: The national competency assessment (NCA) is a strategy with the objective of creating a competent, motivated, adaptable and innovative workforce in Ethiopia. However, of all the students that had taken the NCA, below average students had passed the assessment in the study settings. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of academic achievements of health extension students (HESs) and identify the influencing factors that contribute to the failure of HESs on NCA in the study settings. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study complemented with qualitative methods was conducted from 18th to 27th January 2019 of a sample of 186 level III health extension students in Regional Health Science Colleges. A self-administered structured questionnaire and focus group discussion guiding tool were used to collect the data. The data were checked for completeness, coded and entered into EPI info version 7.1.0 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was done to assess the association between each independent variable and the outcome variable with p<0.25. Multivariable analysis was done to control the influence of potential confounding variables and to identify influencing factors. The significant level was declared at p<0.05. Results: A total of 186 study subjects were involved in the study with a response rate of 100%. Of the total participants, only 31.7% of students passed the national competency assessment. After adjusting for covariates, fathers' education level, fathers' occupation, and students' English language understanding were significantly associated with the passing of the NCA. Conclusion: Students' competency in the NCA is below average. Therefore, the health science colleges should give due attention to the inclusion of the English language as a unit of competency. The regional government and stakeholders should give priority to paternal awareness about the health extension program. Follow-up studies are recommended exploring other influencing factors related to the NCA.

Achievement of Clinical Learning Outcomes and Associated Factors Among Midwifery and Nursing Undergraduate Students of Jimma University, Ethiopia

“…14 Previous study done among graduating diploma health extension students in Amhara region health sciences colleges in northern Ethiopia revealed that only 31.7% passed national competency assessment. 15 Similarly, 31.6% of midwifery graduates from different Ethiopian universities passed standard for graduation that indicates a great gap between the country's demand for competent health workforce and effectiveness of their clinical education. 16 In addition, only 24.5% of 3rd and 4th year nursing students of Mettu University in western Ethiopia achieved their clinical learning outcomes while year of study and conduciveness of clinical placement predicted positively.…”

“…20 Overall, previous studies done in the country revealed poor achievement of clinical competency among different health science departments. [15][16][17] But the achievement of clinical learning outcomes is the determinant of the overall success of both nursing and midwifery educational programs. 21 Thus, this study aimed to determine the status of achievement of clinical learning outcomes and associated factors among midwifery and nursing students of Jimma University after resumption of educational program following lockdown for COVID-19.…”