Attitudes Toward Transgender Persons Among Medical Students of a Tertiary Health-Care Center: A Cross-Sectional Exploratory Study. Issue 3 (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jain, Harsh; Subramanian, Karthick; Gowsi, Keni; Sankaran, Avudaiappan
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychosexual health. Volume 4:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 189
• Page End: 194
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: Attitudes -- human sexuality -- gender and sexuality -- medical education; Sex (Psychology) -- Periodicals; Sexual health -- Periodicals; 616.8583
• DOI: 10.1177/26318318221107350
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2631-8318

Abstract

Background: Inadequate knowledge and awareness about transgenderism among doctors can lead to inadequate health-care services to transgender persons. Objective: To assess the prevalent attitudes and beliefs toward transgender persons amongst medical undergraduates. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional observational study included medical undergraduates of both gender in a tertiary care hospital. The students belonged to "early clinical phase" (yet to start clinical postings). The sociodemographic characteristics and academic and social exposure to transgender-related issues were recorded using a semi-structured proforma. Transgender Attitudes and Beliefs Scale was used to assess the attitudes and beliefs toward transgender persons. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. Results: Of the 170 second-year medical students, majority reported negligible social exposure (71.3%) and academic exposure (81.6%) to transgenderism. Female students displayed better attitudes and beliefs toward transgender persons than their male counterparts. Conclusions: Medical undergraduates require systematic academic exposure to transgender-related health issues. Gender differences exist among medical undergraduates in the beliefs and attitudes toward transgenderism.