Statistics for undergraduate medical students in Sudan: associated factors for using statistical analysis software and attitude toward statistics among undergraduate medical students in Sudan

Abstract

Introduction: Statistics helps medical students understand research. Without understanding statistics, students can't choose the proper analysis in their research. We aimed to assess the attitude toward statistics, usage of statical software and associated factors for using statistical analysis software in Sudan.

Method: A cross-sectional online survey was distributed among undergraduate medical students across ten Sudanese universities. The study aimed to measure their attitude towards statistics using Survey of Attitudes Toward Statistics (SATS-36) scale.

Results: In total, 489 students were participated with a mean age of 21.94 ± 1.61 and a slight female preponderance (52%, n = 256). The overall attitude towards statistics was 4.64 ± 0.91. The mean attitude scores for the components of SATS-36 scale was higher for students who were using statistical analysis software demonstrating significant difference in affect (p = 0.002), cognitive competence (p = 0.002), value (p = 0.002), Interest (p = 0.004) and Effort (p = 0.029). Almost half of the students (47%) had attended a biostatistics workshop with only 26% of them reported using statistical analysis software. Of the latter group, 72% (n = 91) used SPSS while 50% (n = 64) used excel. Univariate logistic regression showed students who had previously used an statistical software were more likely to be studying in their sixth year compared with second year (OR: 12.652, CI 95% 4.803- 33.332; p < 0.001), older age (OR: 1.224, CI 95% 1.079- 1.388; p = 0.002), attended a course in research methodology (OR: 3.383, CI 95% 2.120- 5.398; p < 0.001) or biostatistics (OR: 1.886, CI 95% 1.252- 2.841; p = 0.002), initiated or participated in a research project (OR:4.349, CI 95% 2.839 - 6.661;p < 0.001) or published a paper (OR: 8.271, CI 95% 3.542 - 19.312; p < 0.001).

Conclusions: The study showed an average attitude towards statistics among medical students. Being at higher years, participating or publishing research and attending research workshop are associated with the usage of statistical software. Also, few students were using statistical software.

Keywords: Associated factors; Attitude; Statistical analysis software; Statistics; Sudan; Undergraduate medical students.