Socioeconomic background of students in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences: A comparative study

Abstract

Background: Various factors have been found to affect the medicine study and academic performance of medical students, among which the socioeconomic factors seem to have a major role in applicants’ success when they enter medical schools. The purpose of this study was to investigate the socioeconomic status of medical students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences and to compare it with those of surgical technology, occupational health, and environmental health students. Methods: Data regarding demographic characteristics, parental education, occupation, income, number of siblings, marital status, and schooling of students were collected by using a questionnaire. Moreover, some data were checked with Students’ Electronic Database of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Results: Medical students have better socioeconomic status than other students (p=0.029). Specifically, they have more educated parents (p≤0.05) with more professional jobs (p<0.039), have fewer siblings (p=0.006) and encounter less economic challenges (p<0.0001). In addition, during their high school education, medical students attended more fee-paying schools than state schools (p<0.0001). Conclusion: There are obvious socioeconomic differences between medical students and other students in this study. To decrease the inequalities in medical schools, it is important to address socioeconomic issues when considering potential applicants for medical education.