Research roadblocks: a cross-sectional study on barriers and perceptions among medical students in Sudan.

BACKGROUND

Medical research is essential for improving healthcare, yet medical students in Sudan face significant barriers to conducting research. These obstacles, compounded by Sudan's political unrest and limited resources, hinder students' engagement and contributions to evidence-based practice. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers toward research among undergraduate medical students in Sudan.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted across public and private medical colleges in Sudan. Data were collected from 1123 students using an online questionnaire from November to December 2023. The standardized survey measured demographics, knowledge, attitudes, research practices, and perceived barriers. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman's rank correlation were used for group comparisons and assessing associations. Significance was determined at p-value < 0.05.

RESULTS

The majority of students (92.0%) exhibited poor knowledge of research, with a mean score of 1.2/8. However, students demonstrated positive attitudes, with a mean score of 69.2/93. 50% of students had no prior research experience, and 55.2% had not attended research methodology workshops. Key barriers included lack of funding (67.6%), insufficient access to databases (58.1%), and inadequate laboratory equipment (64.8%).

CONCLUSION

While medical students in Sudan hold positive attitudes toward research, their limited knowledge and practical engagement highlight the need for improved research education. Addressing barriers such as financial constraints and inadequate resources is essential for fostering a research-oriented culture and enhancing students' contributions to healthcare research in Sudan.