Absenteeism and Factors Affecting Absenteeism

Abstract

Attendance is an important factor in school success among children and youth. Studies show that better attendance is related to higher academic achievement for students of all backgrounds, but particularly for children with lower socioeconomic status. Beginning in kindergarten, students who attend school regularly score higher on tests than their peers who are frequently absent. Chronic truancy (frequent unexcused absence) is a strong predictor of undesirable outcomes in adolescence, including academic failure, dropping out of school, substance abuse, gang involvement, and criminal activity. Many factors can contribute to student absenteeism. Considering this ever-increasing menace of absenteeism, a descriptive study was conducted to assess the point prevalence of absenteeism and factors influencing absenteeism among student nurses in a selected college of nursing of Delhi, and to explore the factors influencing absenteeism among student nurses. The research approach adopted for the study was quantitative with descriptive research design. The tool used for data collection was a structured opinionaire and record analysis. The sample comprised of nursing students of Rufaida College of Nursing, selected by using total enumeration sampling technique. The study revealed that the majority of the student nurses (81%) were having attendance above 75% whereas only 19% were having attendance below 75%. It was found that the days following or prior to holidays or weekends saw maximum number of student absenteeism.