Transportation Difficulties Faced by Female Students of Karachi Medical and Dental College (KMDC) and University of Karachi (UoK)

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of different modes of transportation used by female students of KMDC and UoK, and to study the difficulties faced by them while commuting to their universities and the subsequent effect on their studies.
 Methods: An institutional and questionnaire-based study was conducted among the female students of KMDC and UoK aged 17-25 years from May to December 2016. The study was approved by the Ethical Review Board of Karachi Medical and Dental College. A total of 600 students were included in the study by probability (simple, random) sampling method. Students responded to a series of questions regarding mode, convenience and difficulties related to transportation and the impact transportation difficulties had on their education. The data was analysed by using SPSS Version 20.0. Written consent was obtained from the students prior to filling the questionnaire.
 Results: Out of 600 students, 50.8% used transport provided by the university/college, 53.8% did not consider any means of transportation safe, 54.5% students reported that their studies were affected due to indirect factors such as stress, trauma, fatigue, pollutants, congestion and the consequences were fewer study hours and delayed arrival in class. The frequency of physical along with verbal ha- rassment faced by the students while commuting was reported as 31.3%.
 Conclusion: Majority of participants complained that their studies were affected by stressful travelling and other transport issues but those travelling by the transport provided by the institute had fewer problems. Efforts should be made to overcome these problems affecting female education.