Quality of life among syrian medical students
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN14425442 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14425442 |
- Submission date
- 21/06/2025
- Registration date
- 23/06/2025
- Last edited
- 23/06/2025
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Other
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
This study explored the quality of life (QoL) of medical students in Syria, where war and academic stress may impact well-being. We used a validated survey (SF-36) to measure physical and mental health and identified factors like smoking and long commutes that affect QoL.
Who can participate?
Medical students at Aleppo University who attended a workshop in March 2024.
What does the study involve?
Participants completed an online survey about their health, lifestyle, and well-being.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Benefits: Identifies areas for improving student support. Risks: Minimal (anonymous survey)
Where is the study run from?
Aleppo University (Syria)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2024 to November 2024
Who is funding the study?
Investigator initiated and funded
Who is the main contact?
Mawadda Chukr (mawadaug1@gmail.com)
Contact information
Public, Scientific, Principal Investigator
Aleppo University School of Medicine
Aleppo
-
Syria
 ORCID ID |
0009-0005-4508-9015 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +963 981114394 |
| mawadaug1@gmail.com |
Study information
| Study design | Single-center cross-sectional observational study |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Observational |
| Secondary study design | Cross sectional study |
| Study setting(s) | University/medical school/dental school |
| Study type | Quality of life |
| Participant information sheet | No participant information sheet available |
| Scientific title | Multivariable analysis of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) factors using the SF-36 questionnaire among medical students at Aleppo university: a cross-sectional study |
| Study acronym | Syria-QoL |
| Study objectives | The Arabic version of the SF-36 questionnaire is a reliable tool for measuring HRQoL among Syrian medical students. Factors such as smoking, chronic diseases, and prolonged transportation time negatively impact HRQoL, while religious beliefs and lower BMI are associated with better HRQoL |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 10/08/2024, Research Ethics Committee of Aleppo University (Faculty of Medicine, Aleppo University, Aleppo, -, Syria; -; cmoffice@alepuniv.edu.sy), ref: 2403 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in medical students |
| Intervention | This is a single-center, cross-sectional observational study conducted among medical students at Aleppo University. Participants are enrolled during a Continuing Medical Education (CME) workshop in March 2024. Enrollment: Eligible students receive an electronic survey via Telegram and email. Informed consent is obtained digitally before participation. Participation: Participants complete a one-time, self-administered online questionnaire comprising: Section 1: Sociodemographic data (age, gender, academic year, BMI, smoking status, chronic diseases, etc.). Section 2: The validated Arabic SF-36 questionnaire to assess HRQoL across 8 domains. Surveys are mandatory to complete in one sitting; partial responses are excluded. Duration: Observation: Single time point (March 2024). Follow-up: None (cross-sectional design). Data Handling: Responses are anonymized and analyzed using Jamovi and SmartPLS for reliability (Cronbach’s α) and multivariable regression. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure | HRQoL scores measured using the Arabic SF-36 questionnaire at a single time point (March 2024). Domains include Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS). |
| Secondary outcome measures | Sociodemographic factors (BMI, smoking status, chronic diseases) at a single time point (March 2024) |
| Overall study start date | 01/03/2024 |
| Completion date | 30/11/2024 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Learner/student |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Upper age limit | 30 Years |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | 300 |
| Total final enrolment | 181 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Undergraduate medical students at Aleppo University 2. Attended the CME workshop in March 2024 3. Willing to provide electronic informed consent |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Incomplete survey responses 2. Non-medical students |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/09/2024 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/11/2024 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Syria
Study participating centre
-
Syria
Sponsor information
University/education
Aleppo University School of Medicine
University Square
Aleppo
-
Syria
| cmoffice@alepuniv.edu.sy | |
| Website | https://alepuniv.edu.sy/ |
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/03mzvxz96 |
Funders
Funder type
Other
No information available
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | 01/09/2025 |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not expected to be made available |
| Publication and dissemination plan | Planned publication in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal |
| IPD sharing plan | IPD not available for sharing |
Editorial Notes
23/06/2025: Trial's existence confirmed by University of Aleppo Faculty of Medicine
