# Predicting Academic Performance Among Female Undergraduate Medical and Health Sciences Students Through Sociodemographic, Socioeconomic, and Nutritional Factors

## TL;DR

This study explores how sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and nutritional factors influence academic performance among female undergraduate medical and health sciences students.

## Contribution

The study introduces a predictive model for academic performance among female university students in medical and health sciences, a group previously understudied.

## Key findings

- Academic performance was significantly higher among MBBS and BSPH students.
- Fourth and fifth-year students showed better academic performance.
- The predictive model achieved 79.3% accuracy in predicting academic performance.

## Abstract

Introduction

Education plays a crucial role in improving individual well-being and socioeconomic development. Poor academic performance is often associated with adverse socioeconomic and psychosocial outcomes. Numerous studies have highlighted the effects of sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and nutritional factors on academic performance. However, these studies have been limited to school students only, leaving university students understudied.

Objective

To predict academic performance through sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and nutritional factors among female undergraduate medical and health sciences students.

Materials and methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 female undergraduate medical and health sciences students selected using stratified systematic random sampling. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Nutritional status was assessed with body mass index (BMI), and academic performance was assessed with mean aggregate marks. Chi-square test was used to assess the associations. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Variables showing significance in binary logistic regression were included in multiple logistic regression model, and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and their 95% CI were reported.

Results

The mean age of participants was 21.5±1.5 years. Fifty percent students had normal weight with a mean BMI of 21.8±5.7 kg/m² and 76.8% students demonstrated good academic performance. On bivariate analysis academic performance was significantly higher among Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students (OR=6.23, 95% CI: 3-13.03), and Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) students (OR=2.91, 95% CI: 1.21-7.27), as well as the fourth (OR=2.84, 95% CI: 1.54-5.37) and fifth year students (OR=7.15, 95% CI: 2.9-21.7). Performance was also significantly associated with upper-middle-class, mixed diet, three or more meals per day, and daily breakfast. In the multivariate model, field and year of study emerged as key predictors. The model revealed 79.3% accuracy with a positive predictive value of 80.8%.

Conclusion

Academic performance is a multifaceted outcome influenced by academic-related factors, particularly academic progression and field of study. Nutritional and socioeconomic factors had a limited independent effect.