Determining and comparing the degree of awareness, interest and attitude of dentistry and pharmacy students of Tehran Medical universities toward their field of study in basic science and graduation time

Abstract   Background & aim: Having positive attitude, awareness and interest in students toward their field of study can create a sense of adjustment between their career future and their needs and expectations. This study aimed to establish and compare the degree of awareness, attitude and interest amongst dentistry and pharmacy students of Tehran Medical universities toward their field of study in university. Material & Methods: This descriptive- correlation study was conducted on 314 basic sciences and graduated students of dentistry and pharmacy of Tehran Medical, Shahid Beheshti and Azad universities of Tehran with the use of quota sampling. Data collection instruments were self-made questionnaire, demographic information, student's awareness, attitude and interest. Results: in this study, there was direct relationship between awareness and interest in the field of dentistry in Islamic Azad and Shahid Beheshti universities with the correlation of 0.14, 0.02, and 0.25 respectively and in the field of pharmacy, it was also a direct relationship with the correlation of 0.18, 0.07,and 0.4 respectively. Degree of awareness in graduated students of Islamic Azad universities and Shahid Beheshti was significantly more than basic science and degree of attitude in all three universities was significantly more than that of the graduation time (p>0.05). Degree of interest in both grades, according to the university, didn't have a significant difference. Conclusion:  based on the direct and significant relationship between awareness and interest on learning, paying attention to this issue should be a priority for medical training centers planning.