The Impact of Zamboanga City’s Poor Road Conditions on the Academic Performance of Level III Nursing Students of AdZU

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the effects of poor road conditions leading to traffic congestion in Zamboanga City on the academic performance of the Level III Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students of Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) in NCM112j during the first semester of SY 2023-2024. The study employed a descriptive research design utilizing a qualitative approach and a focus group discussion. The participants were the 50 BSN Level III students from five sections who were commuting using either public or private transportation to get to school. They were selected using simple random sampling. The qualitative findings revealed that the most significant impact of poor road conditions in Zamboanga City is traffic congestion, which may or may not have affected the academic performance of the participants, the Level III BSN students. While some students find motivation in maintaining discipline despite these challenges, the majority shared how traffic-induced stress and insufficient sleep detrimentally affect their overall well-being and academic performance. The necessity to wake up early to avoid tardiness exacerbates these issues, leading to difficulty concentrating during classes. Although students attempt to optimize their commuting time by studying or sleeping, and propose practical solutions like using smaller vehicles or residing in nearby dormitories, persistent traffic congestion still remains a barrier to their academic success in the aforementioned course. The institution must review the schedule of classes to allow for more flexibility, especially for students who commute daily and face the challenges of traffic congestion in the city.