Attendance and Academic Performance of First BAMS Students in Subject Rachana Sharir: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Student’s absenteeism is a continuous problem in medical education despite of mandatory attendance
policies introduced by the universities. Aim and objective of the study was to correlate the class attendance
and academic performance in theory examination in Rachana Sharir. Hence a retrospective cohort study was
conducted at Rachana Sharir Department, DMAMCHRC Nagpur. Total 100 students from batch 2018 who
were appeared for both internal assessment examination and final University examination of first BAMS
were included in the study. Three groups were formed based on theory attendance percentage, Group I
with more than an equal to 75%, Group II less than 75% and more than an equal to 50% and Group III
with less than 50%. Data of first and second internal assessment theory examination as well as University
theory examination of these 100 students was taken. Average marks of the students of these three groups
were compared with their attendance percentage. Gender wise and residence wise (Hosteller -non hosteller)
correlation studied. Female students and non-hostellers have more attendance and higher score in internal
assessment and University examination. Significantly higher marks in internal assessment and University
examination were observed in students with high attendance percentage. There was significantly high pass
percentage in University examination in students with high attendance. Performance in internal assessment
and University examinations were significantly affected by the attendance percentage of students.