The application of Cox regression model to investigate influential factors on the admission to higher education in holders of health associate degree in Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences

Authors
mahmoud mobasheri
soleyman kheiri
seifallah borojian broujeni
seifallah bakhshi
borzu khaledi far
Abstract
Introduction and Aims:
The present study tries to investigate factors influencing continuing studies among graduates of associate
of health sciences, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences (SKUMS).
Methods:
For this descriptive-analytical study, educational profiles of all health graduates of SKUMS between 1986-
2005 were examined and the data was gathered through a researcher-developed checklist and also phone
calls. Data analysis was performed by SPSS 16 using Cox regression.
Results:
From 398 respondents of the study with a mean age of 22.2 ± 2.25 (range: 20-39), 140 (35.2%) were
male and remaining were female. Generally, 206 (51.8%) graduates had been entered to higher education.
According to Cox regression, some factors, e.g. age, gender, marital status, residency, and GPA of associate
of health sciences, were significantly effective on continuing studies and some others including associate
course of study, course period, and diploma GPA had no significant effect on the chance of entrance to
higher education levels.
Conclusion:
Growing older, one gradually enters other living arenas like marriage, making continuing studies
marginalized. Therefore, it could be assumed that the factors influencing continuing studies should be
considered a whole, i.e., the circumstances should be prepared to facilitate continuing studies before
growing older and facing consequent life issues.

*Corresponding author:
Mahmoud Mobasheri.
E-mail: mobasheri121@yahoo.com
Keywords
Continuing studies
Students
influencing factors
Cox regression model