Evaluation of Peer Assisted Learning on the Outcome of Undergraduate Medical Exams at the University of Jos
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Keywords
Peer Assisted Learning, Undergraduates, Medical examinations
Abstract
Background: Peer-assisted learning (PAL) is the development of knowledge and skill through active help and support among matched companions.This study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of PAL on the outcome of undergraduate medical exams among the final year medical students at the University of Jos.
Methodology: This was a retrospectivecohort study onfinal year medical students. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between PAL participation, sociodemographic characteristics, and the outcome in their 2nd, 3rd, 4th& 5th undergraduate exams, with a confidence interval of 95% and a level of significance at p value <0.05.
Results: A total of 120 students participated,with 72(60%) males(M) and 48(40%) females(F). Marital status: 102(85%) were single and 18(15%) married. Mean Age (SD) of participants: 29 (4.2) years. Good outcome in the final year exam was associated with gender, age, and marital status: F:M Odds Ratio(OR)= 3.9 (95% CI: 1.1–15, p=0.036); students<30 years:>30 years OR=7.2 (95% CI: 2.4–22.2, p<0.001); married:singles(OR=0.2, 95% CI: 0.1–0.4, p<0.001).The pass rate of students who participated in PAL varied from 59.0-84.5%, similar to the non-PAL students: 59.3-86.1%.There were no statistically significant associations between PAL participation and exam outcome across all examinations.There was a steady rise in the participation and pass rate over the years for those who engaged in PAL.
Conclusion: This study found no difference in exam pass rate among students who participated in PAL and those who did not. However, students who had a good exam outcome in the final year were either young, female, or unmarried. Also, PAL participation steadily increased over the years of the undergraduate training.
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