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<p>Participation in volunteer activities is crucial for enhancing the skills of medical students. Research indicates that individuals who engage in volunteer work display significantly superior competencies that are not easily acquired through traditional medical curricula. Furthermore, volunteering positively impacts students’ academic performance, particularly during their preclinical years. This study examined the key factors influencing Syrian medical students’ involvement in volunteer activities to identify and promote these drivers. This research was conducted as a cross-sectional survey and included 2084 students from various medical faculties—medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and health sciences—across public and private universities in Syria. A specialized questionnaire was developed and distributed both electronically and physically through faculty-affiliated groups. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors predicting student participation. Findings revealed that 836 students (40.1%) participated in volunteer activities. The most common types of volunteer work among students included academic scientific initiatives (67.6%, <i>n</i> = 565 out <i>N</i> = 836), non-medical community service (36.8%, <i>n</i> = 308), medical educational community activities (25%, <i>n</i> = 209), medical service initiatives within communities (13.2%, <i>n</i> = 132), crisis response volunteering (17.3%, <i>n</i> = 145), and participation in medical social media (17.9%, <i>n</i> = 150). The top Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) predictive factors for student participation included urban residency (AOR = 1.250, 95% CI [1.012–1.545], <i>p</i> = 0.038), prior work experience (AOR = 2.123, 95% CI [1.613–2.794], <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), enrollment in a public university (AOR = 2.467, 95% CI [1.858–3.312], <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), pharmacy studies compared to health sciences (AOR = 1.788, 95% CI [1.149–2.784], <i>p</i> = 0.010), being in the early years of university study (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), and having afriend or sibling who volunteers (AOR = 3.373, 95% CI [2.750–4.136], <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). However, gender, economic status, and academic performance did not show statistically significant effects. Regarding students’ perceptions of volunteering benefits, more than half agreed that it enhanced communication skills, improved verbal and written expression, and strengthened their resumes. Less than half believed that volunteering increased opportunities for studying abroad compared to non-volunteers. Given the essential role of medical students in advancing Syrian community development, efforts should focus on reinforcing the influential factors that drive student participation, thereby maximizing their engagement in volunteer work.</p>

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Volunteer activities among medical students in Syria: a cross-sectional study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月14日

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  • Mohammed Al-Shafie,
  • Omya AL-Hakim,
  • Hamza Abo Hassoun,
  • Abdullah Moghrabi,
  • Leen Altahhan,
  • Tarek Majzoub,
  • Bayan Alsaid

摘要

Participation in volunteer activities is crucial for enhancing the skills of medical students. Research indicates that individuals who engage in volunteer work display significantly superior competencies that are not easily acquired through traditional medical curricula. Furthermore, volunteering positively impacts students’ academic performance, particularly during their preclinical years. This study examined the key factors influencing Syrian medical students’ involvement in volunteer activities to identify and promote these drivers. This research was conducted as a cross-sectional survey and included 2084 students from various medical faculties—medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and health sciences—across public and private universities in Syria. A specialized questionnaire was developed and distributed both electronically and physically through faculty-affiliated groups. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors predicting student participation. Findings revealed that 836 students (40.1%) participated in volunteer activities. The most common types of volunteer work among students included academic scientific initiatives (67.6%, n = 565 out N = 836), non-medical community service (36.8%, n = 308), medical educational community activities (25%, n = 209), medical service initiatives within communities (13.2%, n = 132), crisis response volunteering (17.3%, n = 145), and participation in medical social media (17.9%, n = 150). The top Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) predictive factors for student participation included urban residency (AOR = 1.250, 95% CI [1.012–1.545], p = 0.038), prior work experience (AOR = 2.123, 95% CI [1.613–2.794], p < 0.001), enrollment in a public university (AOR = 2.467, 95% CI [1.858–3.312], p < 0.001), pharmacy studies compared to health sciences (AOR = 1.788, 95% CI [1.149–2.784], p = 0.010), being in the early years of university study (p < 0.001), and having afriend or sibling who volunteers (AOR = 3.373, 95% CI [2.750–4.136], p < 0.001). However, gender, economic status, and academic performance did not show statistically significant effects. Regarding students’ perceptions of volunteering benefits, more than half agreed that it enhanced communication skills, improved verbal and written expression, and strengthened their resumes. Less than half believed that volunteering increased opportunities for studying abroad compared to non-volunteers. Given the essential role of medical students in advancing Syrian community development, efforts should focus on reinforcing the influential factors that drive student participation, thereby maximizing their engagement in volunteer work.