Perception of Undergraduates and Postgraduates Pertaining Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study amongst Sudanese Health Professional Students

Background: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected all aspects of life globally and locally in Sudan, including institutional and educational services. In Sudan, education is grounded by the traditional method of learning in a classroom (face-to-face lectures). The sudden outbreak of COVID-19 forced some universities and colleges to conduct online learning. This study aimed to assess the perception of health professional students in Sudan, including undergraduates and postgraduates, regarding the possible outcomes of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among both undergraduate and postgraduate health professional students in Sudan. A convenient sample collection method was utilized, from which data was collected online via a self-administered structured questionnaire composed of nineteen questions, which were then validated by a medical education expert. The input was assessed and the data was analyzed using a statistical package for social science (SPSS).

Results: Overall, 133 health professional students responded to the web questionnaire, of which 97 (73%) were undergraduates and 36 (27%) were postgraduates. Amongst the undergraduates, 58 (59.8%) expressed a positive perception while 39 (40.2%) expressed a negative perception. Whereas 24 (66.7%) of postgraduates had a positive perception, 12 (33.3%) of them expressed a negative perception regarding online learning in Sudan.

Conclusion: Postgraduate health professionals were more familiar with online learning and expressed a higher level of perception in comparison to the undergraduates. Furthermore, several students were already exposed to hybrid online learning during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The participating students in this study stated several obstacles to the implementation of online learning in Sudan and appropriately managing them is vital for the successful implementation of this mode of learning.