Factores asociados a las limitaciones e importancia de la investigación percibidas por los participantes de un evento estudiantil de Estomatología en Cuba

Introduction: Undergraduate dental education includes activities exploring the students' perception of the importance of research and the factors limiting its conduct. However, it is necessary to continue to generate evidence about this topic. Objective: Identify the factors associated to the importance and limitations of scientific research as perceived by participants in a dental students' conference in Cuba. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted of 65 students who participated in the Regional Students Scientific Forum on Dentistry and Oral Health ODONTOÁVILA 2018 and answered a validated survey. The marks obtained were added together and the resulting score was considered an appropriate perception if placed in the upper third of the total scores. The students showing a better perception were ranked according to their personal academic characteristics using association statistics. Results: The main perceptions of the importance of research were the need for greater commitment to the process (60%) and awareness that a contribution is being made to national scientific production (57%). The perceived limitations most commonly reported were lack of support by the university (40%) and insufficient time due to academic overload (33%). Male participants expressed a higher frequency of perception of the importance and limitations of scientific research (p = 0.011 for both items). Student teachers perceived fewer limitations (p = 0.019). Conclusions: Participant students recognized the importance of the need for greater commitment to research, identifying the lack of university support as the main limitation.