Factors Affecting Students' Academic Failure in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in 2005

Introduction: Investigating factors affecting academic failure may provide a more clear view towards university's function for educational administrators and lead to more appropriate interventions for reducing the effects of academic failure. This study was performed to investigate the factors affecting students' academic failure in Jondishapour University of Medical Sciences. Methods: In this survey, performed in academic year of 2004-2005 in Jondishapour University of Medical Sciences, 100 failed and 100 non-failed students participated. The research tools were questionnaires gathering information about demographic features, satisfaction with discipline and university, mental health, and educational stressors. Data was analyzed by SPSS software using chi2 and t-test. Results: Male and married students faced with such failures more than others. Dropped students worked more for affording life expenses. Most of them had their high school education in villages and small towns, had their high school graduation in summer (late graduation), had lower average score, with more gap between high school diploma and university admission, had older ages, with less literate parents and lower class occupations. Dropped students were less satisfied with their discipline, and enjoyed less mental health. They had experienced more tensions resulted from post-graduation period, dormitory environment, educational conditions, and educational environment. Conclusion: Considering the effective variables on academic performance and students' educational failure, the educational authorities should make appropriate plans and strategies in order to identify at risk students and provide proper consultation and better facilities for them.