Relationship between Academic Performance and Social Vulnerability in Students of Physiopathology

Abstract

Introduction: There are numerous factors that can influence their university performance.
Objective: The aim of the research was to evaluate the academic performance of students of physiopathology and its relationship with social vulnerability factors.
Method: An observational study and a descriptive statistical analysis were performed with summary and measures of association. The variables studied were: age, sex, province of origin, coexistence with their families, having children, working conditions, maximum educational level of parents, overcrowding, belonging to indigenous peoples, type of health insurance, type of secondary school where studied, activities in NGO, average of years in the University, having approved anatomy and number of times that they attended physiopathology.
Results: The final sample consisted of 275 surveys. The 72.73% (n = 200) of the students were from the province of Salta, 56% (n = 154) lived with their families, 5.45% (n = 15) had children and 26.9 % (n = 74) worked. Only 9 students lived in a critical situation of overcrowding and 6 students belonged to an indigenous community. In addition, almost a third of the sample carried out activities in NGOs. The 82.91% (n = 228) of the students had approved anatomy and physiology at the beginning of the physiopathology classes and 61.01% (n = 169) had attended one or more physiopathology courses. Finally, it was observed that 11.63% (n = 32) of the students presented social vulnerability.
Conclusions: Students with social vulnerability showed an insufficient academic performance compared to those who are not vulnerable. In addition, the social containment of the student, some activities and habits, their previous academic performance and having attended the subject classes more than once, are positively associated with their adequate academic performance.