Student nurses' learning on community-based education in Ethiopia.
BACKGROUND
At Jimma University educational goals are to apply the concept of community-oriented education through community-based education (CBE) of health students. This study examined the experiences of student nurses on CBE.


OBJECTIVE
The aims of the study were to identify factors that students considered had helped or hindered their learning on CBE and to ascertain if the stated learning objectives were met.


METHODS
A quantitative, descriptive, survey design was adopted, using a single, anonymous questionnaire. Some qualitative data were gained using open questions. A convenience sample of 95 students participated in the research. Participants represented 90% of all students who had completed their CBE placements.


RESULTS
Participation, mentors' willingness to answer questions and the relevance of the placement were factors that facilitated learning. Factors reported by students that hindered learning were difficulties of self-expression in a group, mentors emphasising mistakes and weakness and the short time-frame due to ongoing lectures during placement. Students said learning objectives most met were socio-demographic assessment, identifying health problems and action planning. Objectives reported to be least met were identifying environmental health problems, planning preventive health interventions and implementing health interventions.


CONCLUSIONS
These include the need to develop students' group skills, prepare mentors to facilitate learning, organise CBE in spiral phases, avoid concurrent lectures and improve study facilities.
Salmon
Karen
K
Jimma University, Ethiopia. kesalmonethiopia@yahoo.co.uk
Keneni
Gutema
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000193:education*; D003479:Curriculum; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015397:Program Evaluation; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires