Attrition rate at a Faculty of Medicine in Western Saudi Arabia

Abstract EN

To determine the attrition rate at the Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences of the King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and to make some recommendations for analysis of the factors contributing to this problem.

Review of the faculty records for the academic years 1395 / 1396H (1975 / 1976G) till 1419 / 1420H (1998 / 1999G) regrading student’s intake and number of graduating students and the number still registered at the end of the academic year 1419 / 1420H (1998 / 1999G).

A total of 4,985 students were admitted to the faculty during the study period.

1,945 students graduated.

1,180 students were still studying.

This means that 1,860 students left the faculty before graduation.

37.3 % of the students left the faculty before graduation.

This is a very high rate for a reputable faculty.

Possible causes will be discussed and recommendations for further analysis made.