Achievement of Clinical Learning Outcomes and Associated Factors Among Midwifery and Nursing Undergraduate Students of Jimma University, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Effective achievement of clinical learning outcomes indicates the success of the clinically oriented educational program including midwifery and nursing. In contrast, studies reported poor achievement of clinical competence in different health sciences programs in the country. Thus, this study aimed to determine the status of achievement of clinical learning outcomes and associated factors among midwifery and nursing students of Jimma University, Ethiopia. METHODS: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 25 to 30, 2021 among 147 midwifery and nursing students of Jimma University selected by simple random sampling technique. Data were collected by a semi-structured, pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire, entered into EpiData version 4.2, and analyzed by SPSS version 23. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to test the association. The odds ratio at 95% confidence interval (CI) and P-value < 0.05 was used to ascertain statistical significance. RESULTS: Only 65 (44.2%) participants achieved their clinical learning outcomes. Being a third year student (AOR 3.38; 95% CI = 1.5, 7.5) at p-value = 0.003, having good practice of COVID-19 preventive measures (AOR 2.25; 95% CI = 1.01, 5) at p-value = 0.047, perceived high students load in clinical teaching site (AOR 4.9; 95% CI = 1.6, 14.7) at p-value = 0.005, and students motivation to their clinical learning (AOR 3.1; 95% CI = 1.4, 6.63) at p-value = 0.004 were factors positively associated with achievement of clinical learning outcomes. CONCLUSION: Less than half of midwifery and nursing students of Jimma University had achieved their clinical learning outcomes. Therefore, the students, clinical teachers, and all concerned bodies should struggle their best to enhance good practice of COVID-19 preventive measures, students motivation to their clinical learning, and facilitate clinical learning in clinical teaching site with high students load for better achievement of clinical learning outcomes.