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Socioeconomic and academic consequences of COVID-19 pandemic on medical students from the University of Rwanda

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  • Olga Nadege Uwera Ndamukunda
  • Marie Therese Mutuyimana
  • Fabiola Umubano
  • Eugene Tuyishime

Abstract

Introduction: Little is known about the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the life of university students in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). The objective of this study was to evaluate the socioeconomic and academic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical students studying at the University of Rwanda. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. An online survey using google form was sent to medical students in clinical training (year 3 till year 5) using convenience sampling followed by snowball sampling method. We collected data on participants’ demographics, general knowledge on the COVID-19 pandemic and perception on mitigation measures, and socio-economic and academic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive statistics were used in excel 2015 software to calculate participants’ responses and categorical data were presented using frequencies and percentages. Results: A total 187 participants completed the survey. Most participants described disruption in routine activities (72.7%), reduced travelling (69%), church closing (64.2%), and loss of freedom (57.2%) as examples of negative social consequences. While financial uncertainty (64.7%), decrease in income (49.7%), and increase in poverty rate (42.2%) were the main economic consequences. Issues with academic progress (95.7%), limited social life (56.1%), and repeating the year (42.8%) were examples of negative academic consequences. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the COVID-19 had a negative social, economic, and academic consequences on medical students at the University of Rwanda. These finding may guide the design of interventions to mitigate the consequences of COVID-19 and to protect medical students against future pandemics and crises.

Suggested Citation

  • Olga Nadege Uwera Ndamukunda & Marie Therese Mutuyimana & Fabiola Umubano & Eugene Tuyishime, 2025. "Socioeconomic and academic consequences of COVID-19 pandemic on medical students from the University of Rwanda," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 20(2), pages 1-10, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0318066
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0318066
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vladimir M. Cvetković & Neda Nikolić & Una Radovanović Nenadić & Adem Öcal & Eric K. Noji & Miodrag Zečević, 2020. "Preparedness and Preventive Behaviors for a Pandemic Disaster Caused by COVID-19 in Serbia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-23, June.
    2. Maria-Crina Radu & Carol Schnakovszky & Eugen Herghelegiu & Vlad-Andrei Ciubotariu & Ion Cristea, 2020. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Quality of Educational Process: A Student Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-15, October.
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