ABSTRACT:
The study aimed to evaluate possible factors associated with retention and dropout at the Pharmacy degree of a public university in the Brazilian Northeast. This cross-sectional study was conducted between July and December 2019 with students of two Pharmacy undergraduate degrees at the Federal University of Sergipe. To collect data, we used an instrument that included: 1) socio-demographic data and 2) factors related to dropout intentions, questions about leave of absence, and failure in modules/disciplines. Three hundred thirty-five students participated, 132 from the Lagarto campus and 203 from São Cristóvão. Out of those, 69.30% (n = 232) were women, the majority (81.20%) between 18 and 24 years old, 60.90% (n = 204) declared themselves mixed race, 96.70% were single, and 5.10% (n = 17) had children. Regarding failure and intention to drop out, 176 (52.50%) stated that they had already failed, and 62.10% (n = 208) intended to drop out of the course. Among the factors that lead to dropout intentions are: “schedule of the disciplines offered,” “curriculum matrix,” “teaching methodology,” “form of evaluation,” “relationship between student and teacher/coordinator,” “interpersonal relationships,” “student assistance,” “low remuneration of the professional,” “financial difficulties,” “lack of study skills,” “difficulties of adaptation to the university,” “discontent or demotivation with the course,” “learning difficulties, translated into disapproval and low frequency,” “non-adaptation to the course,” and “mental health problem.” The results reinforce the need for strategies that support students during undergraduate studies to reduce the impact of retention and dropout in higher education.
Keywords:
School dropout; School retention; Pharmaceutical Education; Higher Education