Transportation Difficulties Faced by Female Students of Karachi Medical and Dental College (KMDC) and University of Karachi (UoK)

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of different modes of transportation used by female students of KMDC and UoK, and to study the difficulties faced by them while commuting to their universities and the subsequent effect on their studies. Methods: An institutional  and  questionnaire-based  study  was  conducted  among  the  female  students of KMDC and UoK aged 17-25 years from May to December 2016. The study was approved by the Ethical Review Board of Karachi Medical and Dental College. A total of 600 students were included in the study by probability (simple, random) sampling method. Students responded to a series of questions regarding mode, convenience and difficulties related to transportation and the impact transportation difficulties had on their education. The data was analysed by using SPSS Version  20.0.  Written consent was obtained from the students prior to filling the questionnaire. Results: Out of 600 students, 50.8% used transport provided by the university/college, 53.8% did not consider any means of transportation safe,  54.5%  students  reported  that  their  studies  were  affected due to indirect factors such as stress, trauma,  fatigue,  pollutants,  congestion  and  the  consequences were fewer study hours and delayed arrival in class. The frequency of physical along with verbal ha- rassment faced by the students while commuting was reported as 31.3%. Conclusion: Majority of participants complained that their studies were affected by stressful travelling  and other transport issues but those travelling by the transport provided by the institute had  fewer  problems. Efforts should be made to overcome these problems affecting female education.