Abstract
Objectives:To explore the perception of postgraduate public health students regarding e-learning in context to Covid-19 pandemic and its effect on their academic performancesMethods:This cross-sectional study was conducted at Sarhad Institute of Health Science, SUIT Peshawar from 3rd October 2020 to 4th February 2021. The Census method was incorporated for sample selection. Participation in the study was subjected to consent by participants. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analyzed using SPSS Version-26.Results:Out of 95 participants, 72 (75.8%) were males and 23 (24.2%) were females. The mean grade point average (GPA) of previous semester-1 and semester-2, when they were having a conventional education system on campus before the pandemic was 2.741±0.499 and 2.643±.498 respectively. The current mean GPA of semesters 1, 2, and 3 who had online classes during this pandemic was 2.41±0.66, 3.06±0.51, and 2.80±0.47 respectively. Fifty-one (53.7%) students preferred to use mobile for e-learning. Convenience to the use-learning management system (LMS) was 67.4% and 72.6% responded that their academic performance was positively affected by e-learning. Logistic regression revealed that source of learning (p 0.99), uninterrupted internet (p 0.87), convenience with LMS (p 0.17), stress (p 0.505), convenient communication with faculty (p 0.69), and compatibility with professional routine (p 0.21) were not significantly associated with good academic performance, however, students of semester 2 (p 0.001) and those using laptops (p 0.02) were more likely to get a GPA of 3.0 or aboveConclusions:Students in this study had a positive perception regarding e-learning however, there is a definite need to amalgamate both online and on-campus learning modalities for post-graduate students especially during the uncertain situations.
Highlights
In recent times, the coronavirus has emerged as a threat but a challenge to all the health systems and governments across the globe
Covid-19 emerged as the worst pandemic in human history in terms of mortality but by leaving the governments especially that of low- and middleincome countries (LMICs) helpless on all fronts
The purpose of this study was to explore the perception of postgraduate public health students regarding e-learning in context to the Covid-19 pandemic and its effect on their academic performances. This cross-sectional study was spanned over four months from 3rd October 2020 till 4th February 2021, inducting the post-graduate students already enrolled in the Master of Public Health program at Sarhad Institute of Health Sciences (SIHS) Peshawar
Summary
The coronavirus has emerged as a threat but a challenge to all the health systems and governments across the globe. It was more life-threatening to human life than any other lethal warfare. Pak J Med Sci March - April 2022 Vol 38 No 3 www.pjms.org.pk 617 was on 30th Jan 2020 when WHO declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.[1] Undoubtedly, Covid-19 emerged as the worst pandemic in human history in terms of mortality but by leaving the governments especially that of low- and middleincome countries (LMICs) helpless on all fronts. An online system was introduced as per directives of HEC to continue all educational activities
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