A Comparison of the Academic Performance of Students throughout the Year and the Sendup Exam with Respect to Gender

Abstract

Background: The impact of gender on academic performance has garnered considerable attention in the realm of medical and dental education, revealing significant disparities. With evolving enrollment trends and academic achievements across genders worldwide, understanding these dynamics within specialized educational environments becomes crucial. Objective: This study aimed to assess and compare the academic performance of male and female undergraduate dental students at Sharif Medical and Dental College (SMDC), Lahore, over an academic year and specifically in their sendup examinations, to identify gender-based patterns and disparities in academic outcomes. Methods: Conducting a cross-sectional analysis among third-year BDS students at SMDC from January 2020 to January 2021, this study, after securing ethical clearance and informed consent, engaged a sample size of 491 students. Academic performances were assessed from Oral Pathology records, categorized under four performance brackets (<50%, 50% to 69%, 70% to 79%, and >80%). SPSS version 25 facilitated the data analysis, employing the chi-square test to explore the association between gender and academic performance. Statistical significance was earmarked by a p-value of <0.05. Results: The findings indicated a significant correlation between gender and academic performance throughout the academic year (p≤0.001), with females significantly outperforming males—22% of females versus 4% of males achieved excellence. In the context of the sendup exams, the gender disparity persisted (p=0.022), with exclusively female students (2%) attaining excellent performance. Moreover, 26% of female students compared to 7% of male students achieved average performance in the sendup, while the percentage of males with poor results (7%) exceeded that of females (3%). Conclusion: The study highlights a pronounced gender disparity in academic performance among dental students, with female students consistently outperforming their male counterparts throughout the academic year and in pivotal examinations. These findings call for targeted educational interventions to address and mitigate gender disparities, ensuring equitable academic opportunities and outcomes.