Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40369529›Full record

ArticleBMC medical education2025

Sudanese medical students' satisfaction with online learning and its association with their psychological distress: a cross-sectional study.

Muhannad Bushra Masaad Ahmed, Ahmed Balla M Ahmed, Moram Elfadel Abdelrhaman Gasmalha, Olla Zuhair Elamin Abdalla, Safinat Hassan Mohammed Ahmed, Blsam Abdelmoneam Ahmed Mohammed, Rabaa Alamein Omer Ebrahim, Maab Hisham Saeed Abdeen, Esraa Obeid Mohammed Babiker, Tasneem Abdelgader Abdelrhman Ahmed and 4 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical education, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Muhannad Bushra Masaad AhmedFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gadarif, Gadarif, Sudan.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0003-1549-8155
Ahmed Balla M AhmedFaculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Al-Qasr Street, PO Box: 102, Khartoum, 11111, Sudan. m.salahballa@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0004-6224-485X
Moram Elfadel Abdelrhaman GasmalhaFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-1101-4698
Olla Zuhair Elamin AbdallaFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan.
Safinat Hassan Mohammed AhmedFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan.
Blsam Abdelmoneam Ahmed MohammedFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan.
Rabaa Alamein Omer EbrahimFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan.
Maab Hisham Saeed AbdeenFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan.
Esraa Obeid Mohammed BabikerFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan.
Tasneem Abdelgader Abdelrhman AhmedFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan.
Alkhansa Ahmed Osman AhmedFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Red Sea University, Port Sudan, Sudan.
Doaa Salaheldin Mohamed AhmedFaculty of Medicine, Elrazi University, Khartoum, Sudan.
Muhammad MubashirLiaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan.
Sohaib Mohammed Mokhtar AhmedFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gadarif, Gadarif, Sudan.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-2824-4642

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundOnline learning has emerged as an alternative to continuing higher education during the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Despite its numerous benefits, online learning is often associated with challenges like stress, anxiety, and depression. Satisfaction plays a pivotal role in shaping students' perceptions of online education quality and their mental well-being, especially under adverse conditions like conflict. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the satisfaction of Sudanese medical students with online learning and its association with psychological distress issues, including anxiety, depression, and stress, during the current Sudan war.

methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among Sudanese medical students who transitioned to online learning during the conflict. Satisfaction with online learning was assessed using a validated questionnaire consisting of eight dimensions, while depression symptoms were measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, anxiety with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and perceived stress with the Perceived Stress Scale-10. Associations between demographic factors and key outcomes were analyzed using independent t-tests, chi-square tests, and one-way ANOVA, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

resultsAmong the 1,891 medical students surveyed, the mean satisfaction score for online learning was 26.2 out of 40. Mild to moderate depression was reported by 59.4% of students, while 62% experienced mild to moderate anxiety, and 21% reported high stress levels. Lower satisfaction was significantly associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress (all p < 0.001).

conclusionSudanese medical students reported positive satisfaction with online learning during the conflict, yet this was accompanied by high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. These findings highlight the need for integrated mental health support and improved digital access to enhance online education. Addressing these challenges is essential to ensuring student well-being and sustaining quality education in conflict settings. Further research across different settings can help develop more effective interventions.

Indexed as

Education, DistancePersonal SatisfactionPsychological DistressStress, PsychologicalStudents, MedicalAdultAnxietyCross-Sectional StudiesDepressionEducation, Medical, UndergraduateFemaleHumansMaleSudanSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultAnxietyDepressionOnline learningStressStudents' satisfactionSudanWar

Identifiers

PMID40369529
PMCPMC12076943

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.