Assessing Anxiety and Satisfaction Levels among Dental Students during Online Learning amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread adoption of online learning. In April 2020, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan released policy guidance on online readiness with three levels: basic, effective, and exemplary. However, concerns about the quality and readiness for online curriculum delivery in Pakistan persisted. This study assesses the anxiety and satisfaction levels of undergraduate dental students with online classes during the pandemic.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted between June and July 2020. Data were collected via email from undergraduate dental students of a private dental college using convenience sampling, after three months of online teaching. Two tools were used: a student satisfaction questionnaire adapted from Bolliger and Halupa’s study, and a student anxiety questionnaire. Frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations were calculated for satisfaction and anxiety scores. Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess factors associated with student satisfaction.

Results: Out of 300 eligible participants, 237 responded (79% response rate). Most participants (53.16% female, 59.07% hostellers) had no prior experience with online learning (85.65%). The mean anxiety score was 54.87 (SD=9.6), and the mean satisfaction score was 58.63 (SD=16.66). Male students showed less satisfaction than females, though not statistically significant. Second-year students had significantly higher satisfaction scores than third- and fourth-year students.

Conclusion: Most students had no prior experience with online learning, resulting in increased anxiety and poor satisfaction with the modality during the COVID-19 pandemic.