Knowledge, attitude and practice of reading habit among female medical students, Taibah University

Objective: Acquiring knowledge through reading is crucial for learning process of a medical student. Reading in clinical practice is important as it relates to clinical competencies. This study was carried out to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of reading habit among female medical students at Taibah University. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional approach was adopted. It involved 105 (out of 130) female medical students from 4th and 5th years in their clinical rounds. A structured questionnaire for measuring knowledge, attitude and practice of reading habit was used. Statistical analysis was done using percent, mean, standard deviation, chi-square, Student's t-tests, and Pearson's correlation. Results . The mean age of the studied students was 22.9 +/- 0.9 years. The mean percent score for knowledge was 87.5 +/- 14.4, for attitude was 70.2 +/- 19.9, and for practice 60.0 +/- 17.8. The total reading habit score was 72.6 +/- 11.1, with a significant positive correlation between knowledge and practice (r = 0.251, p = 0.010). College related barriers and overcrowded students' timetable were the main perceived barriers for reading (84.8% and 79.0% respectively). Pocket books were used by 92.4% of students as medical reference, and were the most useful source as stated by 33.3% of them. The mean time spent on online sources of reading is less than that spent on other sources as pocket books and lecture handouts. Conclusion: Medical students spent less time on reading and depended mainly on pocket books as they gave the desired knowledge in short time and concise form. The stated reading barriers included college barrier, insufficient time and source barrier. There was contradiction between students' knowledge of the importance of reading and its actual practice.