Face Discrimination Research Articles

Measuring transformative WASH: A new paradigm for evaluating water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions

AbstractProgress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6, clean water and sanitation for all, is behind schedule and faces substantial financial challenges. Rigorous water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions have underperformed, casting doubt on their efficacy and potentially undermining confidence in WASH funding and investments. But these interventions have leaned on a narrow set of WASH indicators—linear growth and diarrhea—that reflect a 20th‐century prioritization of microbiological water quality as the most important measurement of WASH intervention success. Even when water is microbiologically safe, hundreds of millions of people face harassment, assault, injury, poisoning, anxiety, exhaustion, depression, social exclusion, discrimination, subjugation, hunger, debt, or work, school, or family care absenteeism when retrieving or consuming household water. Measures of WASH intervention success should incorporate these impacts to reinforce the WASH value proposition. We present a way forward for implementing a monitoring and evaluation paradigm shift that can help achieve transformative WASH.This article is categorized under: Engineering Water > Water, Health, and Sanitation Human Water > Value of Water Human Water > Methods

ANALYSIS OF FEMINISM ANALYSIS OF FEMINISM IN THE NOVEL “WOMEN AT POINT ZERO”

Abstract. Feminism is a movement of women who struggle against sexist oppression and exploitation by calling for equality and justice. The realization that women had equal rights to mine is what started the campaign. Women face discrimination in society due to norms and traditions. By all means, women cannot accept the social behavior that intimidates them. The study used descriptive qualitative approach. The novel Woman at Point Zero by Nawal El- Sadawi details the difficult circumstances faced by Firdaus, a woman who fought for her rights both a woman and a human. Talked feminism and how women in the novel fought for their rights. Because Firdaus murdered a pimp who tried to price her before being hanged, she was forced to stoop. She didn't worry about dying, but rather, she felt liberated by being alone and without a man. She defends her right to be passive in the face of all accusations in an effort to uphold her femininity.

Employment Discrimination against Indigenous People with Tribal Marks in Nigeria: The Painful Face of Stigma

Drawing from in-depth qualitative interviews (N = 32), this article examines the impact of indigenous tribal marks on employment chances in southwest Nigeria. It employs indigenous standpoint theory to frame the argument around what constitutes stigma and in what context. The results of our thematic analysis indicate that tribally marked job applicants and employees face significant social rejection, stigmatization and discrimination, and can suffer from severe mental illnesses and even suicidal ideation. We explain how these tribally marked individuals navigate the changing contours of tradition and modernity in Nigeria. Tribal marks, although once largely perceived as signals of beauty and high social status, are now increasingly viewed as a significant liability in the labour market. This article makes a unique and original contribution to the study of stigma and employment discrimination by eschewing the prevailing Western ethnocentrism in the extant research and instead placing the indigenous standpoint at centre stage.

Rights for all? Living conditions and (de)citizenship of adults with intellectual and complex disabilities in Portugal.

In 2009, Portugal ratified the UN CRPD and a turn to a rights-based approach in disability law and policy has intensified since. It thus becomes important to understand whether these legal changes are furthering the social inclusion of adults with intellectual and complex disabilities. Questionnaires were applied to a stratified sample of 127 adults with intellectual and complex disabilities attending social care and vocational training programmes across the country. Participants reported low rates of social participation, and many (49%) were found to live below the poverty line. High rates of discrimination and violence and feelings of loneliness and sadness were also reported, which can be strong indicators of the oppression that many of them daily endure. Adults with intellectual and complex disabilities in Portugal face exclusion, discrimination, and violence. The poverty and isolation in which many of them live compounds their (de)citizenship status in Portuguese society.

여성 소방공무원의 감정노동 경험과 대처에 대한 질적연구

This is a phenomenological study in which seven female firefighters, who experienced emotional labor while performing public services like accident investigation and rescue, were interviewed about their difficulties, psychology and coping, and desires for institutional improvement due to emotional labor and violence during work. This study derived two categories, four theme clusters, and the following ten themes: “An emotional trash can that is required to be unconditionally kind,” “Violence and profanity from citizens flying out of nowhere,” “Female firefighters are seen as weak and unworthy,” “Female firefighters face discrimination even within the organization,” “Doubt and frustration about my job,” “Repeated anxiety and fear,” “My way of shaking off emotional labor” “Emotional labor coping system established within the organization,” “Slowly but surely changing atmosphere within the organization,” and “The beginning of a step toward a better environment.” This study’s findings provide several clinical, policy, and practical implications for creating safe working environments for women firefighters.

Intersection of Culture, Ecclesia, and Transgender Persons Navigating Identity, Beliefs, and Acceptance

Transgender persons in Kenya, Africa and the world continue to face discrimination in various facets of their lifetimes, which has negative impacts on their wellbeing. This is evident right from their respective homes, among their neighbourhoods, in educational institutions, in public and social places, and in their workplaces. The Church, as a public and social place, is crucial for the wellbeing of individuals, communities, and society in general, including transgender persons. In addition, Kenyan citizens practise various cultures and traditions, alongside other faiths that they have earned their conversion, with majority practising Christianity, followed by Islam, and other religions. These African cultures and traditions are integral in socialisation at the community level, given the fact that, by and large, it still ‘takes a village to raise up a child’. As such, discrimination of transgender persons in the Church and in the local African cultures and traditions does not bode well for the wellbeing of these transgender persons. That said, there is need for the above trio to embrace transgender persons as Christ embraced all, and as African cultures and traditions also embraced different genders and sexualities. This will serve to demonstrate a workable and/or logical intersection of love, inclusivity and community. This research article utilizes an extensive review of literature to arrive at the key points. Analysis of these key points has been done in our bid to understand the intersection between the trios.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis C Virus-related Disparities in Undergoing Emergency General Surgical Procedures in the United States, 2016-2019.

To determine whether people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWHIV) and people living with hepatitis C virus (PLWHCV) experience inequities in receipt of emergency general surgery (EGS) care. PLWHIV and PLWHCV face discrimination in many domains; it is unknown whether this extends to the receipt of EGS care. Using data from the 2016 to 2019 National Inpatient Sample, we examined 507,458 nonelective admissions of adults with indications for one of the 7 highest-burden EGS procedures (partial colectomy, small-bowel resection, cholecystectomy, operative management of peptic ulcer disease, lysis of peritoneal adhesions, appendectomy, or laparotomy). Using logistic regression, we evaluated the association between HIV/HCV status and the likelihood of undergoing one of these procedures, adjusting for demographic factors, comorbidities, and hospital characteristics. We also stratified analyses for the 7 procedures separately. After adjustment for covariates, PLWHIV had lower odds of undergoing an indicated EGS procedure [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.81; 95% CI: 0.73-0.89], as did PLWHCV (aOR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.63-0.70). PLWHIV had reduced odds of undergoing cholecystectomy (aOR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.58-0.80). PLWHCV had lower odds of undergoing cholecystectomy (aOR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.53-0.62) or appendectomy (aOR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.59-0.98). PLWHIV and PLWHCV are less likely than otherwise similar patients to undergo EGS procedures. Further efforts are warranted to ensure equitable access to EGS care for PLWHIV and PLWHCV.

A qualitative study exploring LGBTQ genetic counseling students' relationships with peers and faculty in graduate school.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ) students in healthcare professional programs face discrimination in their training, leading them to hide their identities and hindering their ability to form as meaningful connections with their classmates and faculty as non-LGBTQ students. To date, no studies have been published characterizing the LGBTQ student experience in genetic counseling programs. However, other historically oppressed groups such as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) genetic counseling students report feelings of isolation and negative impacts on mental health due to their racial or ethnic identity. This study explored how LGBTQ identity impacted relationships between genetic counseling students and their classmates and faculty in graduate school. In this qualitative study using constructivist grounded theory, 13 LGBTQ students and recent graduates of Canadian and American accredited genetic counseling programs were interviewed via videoconferencing. Participants reported determinants in self-disclosing their LGBTQ identity to their classmates and faculty and described ways in which their LGBTQ identity impacted relationships with individuals in their training programs. In particular, many described an overall heteronormative training environment, a hesitation to disclose their identity to faculty due to the professional nature of the relationship, and a sense of isolation. Participants also described the ways in which intersecting minoritized identities impacted their experiences as an LGBTQ student. This research contributes to the minimal literature about LGBTQ genetic counseling student experiences and has implications for addressing cisheteronormative curricula and attitudes in genetic counseling programs.

(274) Sexual Behaviors and Social Barriers to Access Public Health of Brazilian Transgender Men

Abstract Introduction There is a need of information about transgender individuals and their health needs. This work has as object of study sexual behaviors and social barriers to access health of transgender men. There is a need for information about transgender men and their health needs. Globally, transgender people face discrimination and social exclusion. Available data indicate numerous healthcare inequities between trans and cisgender (non-trans) people. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate transgender men at a public university hospital linked to brazilian´s public healthcare, analyzing sexual practices and barriers to access affirmative care. Methods The medical records of seventeen patients (range 18-42 of age) followed between 2016 and 2018, were used to collect data retrospectively and descriptively with quantitative and qualitative approach. Through a structured interview, there was a focus on data concerning difficulties to reach healthcare and medical inequities. Results It was noticed that transgender men face social barriers to health access, such as insistent non-respect of the use of the social name, the lack of knowledge of health demands by health professionals and the barriers imposed by family and/or spouse. The sexual practices performed by these men, who proved to be widely diverse and changing, are mostly penetrative (70,58%), and such practices may be passive and / or active. It was also observed variable sexual orientation among the patients, although most of them (88,23%) maintain a relationship with a cisgender woman. Gynecological follow-up was also the subject of discussion in this study, and despite the fact that 23,52% of patients had gynecological complaints, 29,41% had never done a gynecological consultation, being the resistance to do gynecological exams very commun. Only 28,57% of the patients had not yet started hormone therapy, and they declared that they would like to start this process. The majority of transgender men have also the need of body change. Conclusions Therefore, it is necessary to develop strategies in public and universal health that are effective to provide transgender men with their need to body change or hormone therapy, as well as to guide them to the gynecological examination. Additionally, health care providers need to guarantee proper and free of prejudice assistance. Disclosure No

Protective factors in the relationship between perceived discrimination and risky drinking among American Indian adolescents

IntroductionThe relationship between perceived discrimination and risky drinking among American Indian (AI) youth is understudied, and the potential protective factors that may buffer this association are unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine protective factors across individual, family, school, peer, and cultural domains of the social ecology that might attenuate the relationship between perceived discrimination and risky drinking among AI adolescents. MethodData were from the Substance Use Among American Indian Youth Study (Swaim and Stanley, 2018, 2021). AI youth who have used alcohol in their lifetime (n = 2516 within 62 schools) had an average age of 15.16 years (SD = 1.75) and 55.5% were female. Five sets of linear regressions were conducted. Risky drinking was regressed on demographic variables, alcohol use frequency, perceived discrimination, one protective factor (religiosity, parental monitoring, peer disapproval of alcohol use, school engagement, and ethnic identity), and one two-way interaction between perceived discrimination and the protective factor. ResultsPrevalence of risky drinking among lifetime drinkers was 40.1%. There were positive associations between perceived discrimination and risky drinking in all models (Bs range from.20 to.23; p <.001). Parental monitoring had a negative association with risky drinking (B = −0.255, p <.001). Religiosity was the only statistically significant moderator (B = −0.08, p = 0.01), indicating that religiosity weakened the relation between perceived discrimination and risky drinking. ConclusionsReligiosity may represent an important protective factor that could help guide efforts to prevent risky drinking in the face of discrimination among AI adolescents.

An Analysis of the Attitudes and Behaviors of American Society towards Segregation after the Abolition of Slavery

African Americans are often associated with weakness in the United States. They not only have a difficult life, but they also face discrimination and hatred as a result of their insecure employment. But, in reality, African Americans have faced a lot of pushback and struggle since the end of the nineteenth century, and they continue to do so to this day. Since the promulgation and implementation of the National Declaration of Human Rights, more than 170 states have launched varying degrees of anti-black movements: the United States Constitution states that all citizens have equal civil rights, and the federal government shall not deprive citizens of their liberties in any way. This paper focuses on the reasons for American societys perspective on this problem, as well as the related conduct throughout the segregation period. From a social standpoint, a complete and in-depth investigation and study of African Americans can assist in improving understanding, raise consciousness, and promote societal harmony and growth. This study investigates a wide range of American societys perspectives and behaviors on the topic of black segregation through a literature review and collects relevant materials to create a theoretical foundation for this paper. According to the findings of the study, under the segregation period, the majority of white people were treated unfairly because of the concept of white supremacy, while the majority of African Americans who opposed apartheid were for the same rights. At the same time, the minorities were white students and members of racial organizations who opposed it because they advocated equality. There are relevant pieces of literature about other groups and persons of other races other than African Americans who opposed the unequal treatment of African Americans throughout the segregation period. This component may be the subject of future investigation.

Endocrine Health and Health Care Disparities in the Pediatric and Sexual and Gender Minority Populations: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement.

Endocrine care of pediatric and adult patients continues to be plagued by health and health care disparities that are perpetuated by the basic structures of our health systems and research modalities, as well as policies that impact access to care and social determinants of health. This scientific statement expands the Society's 2012 statement by focusing on endocrine disease disparities in the pediatric population and sexual and gender minority populations. These include pediatric and adult lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) persons. The writing group focused on highly prevalent conditions-growth disorders, puberty, metabolic bone disease, type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D) diabetes mellitus, prediabetes, and obesity. Several important findings emerged. Compared with females and non-White children, non-Hispanic White males are more likely to come to medical attention for short stature. Racially and ethnically diverse populations and males are underrepresented in studies of pubertal development and attainment of peak bone mass, with current norms based on European populations. Like adults, racial and ethnic minority youth suffer a higher burden of disease from obesity, T1D and T2D, and have less access to diabetes treatment technologies and bariatric surgery. LGBTQIA youth and adults also face discrimination and multiple barriers to endocrine care due to pathologizing sexual orientation and gender identity, lack of culturally competent care providers, and policies. Multilevel interventions to address these disparities are required. Inclusion of racial, ethnic, and LGBTQIA populations in longitudinal life course studies is needed to assess growth, puberty, and attainment of peak bone mass. Growth and development charts may need to be adapted to non-European populations. In addition, extension of these studies will be required to understand the clinical and physiologic consequences of interventions to address abnormal development in these populations. Health policies should be recrafted to remove barriers in care for children with obesity and/or diabetes and for LGBTQIA children and adults to facilitate comprehensive access to care, therapeutics, and technological advances. Public health interventions encompassing collection of accurate demographic and social needs data, including the intersection of social determinants of health with health outcomes, and enactment of population health level interventions will be essential tools.

Are the school choices of indigenous students affected by discrimination? Evidence from Chile

ABSTRACT A common criticisms of school choice programs is that, instead of improving student achievement, they would increase school segregation. Parents may use different criteria to choose a school, such as proximity, school quality, or the school's ethnic/racial composition. As a result, the system would be segregated based on the parent's preferences. This research examines the school preferences of indigenous parents and whether ethnic discrimination influences their decision-making process. Longitudinal national-level data from Chile were analyzed using OLS with fixed effects. The results show that indigenous students, particularly those who have suffered ethnic discrimination in middle school, prefer high schools with a higher percentage of indigenous students. Furthermore, it was found that the level of acts of discrimination occurring in middle schools increases as the percentage of indigenous students rises. However, when the proportion of indigenous and non-indigenous students is similar, indigenous students are less likely to face discrimination.

Contraceptive use among reproductive-age females with disabilities in central Sidama National Regional State, Ethiopia: a multilevel analysis.

Contraceptive use is an important and cost-effective intervention to prevent unwanted pregnancies. People with disabilities face discrimination when it comes to using contraception and are doubly burdened by unwanted pregnancies. However, the status of contraceptive use and associated factors among reproductive-aged females with disabilities was not adequately determined in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess contraceptive use and associated factors among reproductive-age females with disabilities in Dale and Wonsho districts and Yirgalem city administration of central Sidama National Regional State, Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 620 reproductive-age females with disabilities living in the selected districts from June 20 to July 15, 2022. The data were collected through face-to-face interviewing techniques using a structured questionnaire. A multilevel logistic regression analysis model was employed to analyze the data. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to report the measures of associations. In this study, 27.3% (95% CI [23.8%-31.0%]) of the reproductive-age females with disabilities were current contraceptive users. Regarding the methods, 82 (48.5%) of the reproductive-age females with disabilities used implants. Having good contraceptive knowledge (AOR = 9.03; 95% CI [4.39-18.6]), transport accessibility to health facilities (AOR = 2.28; 95% CI [1.32-3.94]), being an adult (25 to 34 years old) (AOR = 3.04; 95% CI [1.53-6.04]), having a hearing disability (AOR = 0.38; 95% CI [0.18, 0.79]), having paralysis of the extremities (AOR = 0.06; 95% CI [0.03-0.12]), and wheel-chaired disability (AOR = 0.10; 95% CI [0.05-0.22]) were factors associated with contraceptive use. Contraceptive use among reproductive-age females with disabilities is low. Transport accessibility, contraceptive knowledge, being in the age groups of 25 to 34 years, and the types of disability determine their contraceptive use. Therefore, designing appropriate strategies to provide contraceptive education and information and provide contraceptive services in their homes is important to enhance contraceptive use.

Integration Based on Socio-economic Status? Everyday Interactions and Boundary (Un)making Between Mainland Skilled Professionals and Locals in Hong Kong

Scholars and the Hong Kong government are concerned about the social, economic, and cultural integration of new mainland Chinese immigrants (NMCIs) into local society. Research on NMCIs’ integration difficulties in Hong Kong has largely focused on one-way permit-holder migrants from China — who are less skilled and face discrimination and problems with integration based on differences in human capital — while overlooking other NMCI groups, such as mainland skilled professionals (MSPs) who may have different social integration experiences and receive different treatment from locals. Drawing on interviews with 48 MSPs and local Hong Kongers, this article investigates three questions: (1) What do interactions between MSPs and locals look like in the workplace and other social settings? (2) Are specific stereotypes of the other group changed or reproduced through boundary-making/unmaking processes, and if so, how? (3) What kind of integration are MSPs pursuing, do they face barriers to their integration? If so, how do they react to the barriers? The findings contribute to international migration literature by highlighting that, with the decreasing need for migrants to integrate into the host society, the high socio-economic status of skilled migrants does not weaken their boundaries with locals but instead reinforces them. Socio-economic status, along with language, political/ethnic identity, and cultural differences, thus divides highly skilled migrants from mainland Chinese workers and local Hong Kongers.

Does desegregation matter? A comparative study of school‐based social capital for university‐bound minority students in segregated and desegregated school contexts of Hong Kong

AbstractDespite national policies, de facto school segregation for racial/ethnic minority students in the West and East has continued to deepen. In Hong Kong, the segregated school system was abolished in 2013, while from 2004 reformed School Places Allocation Systems encouraged minority students to choose mainstream primary and secondary schools. However, de facto ethnicity‐based school segregation continues to prevail. Most minority students in the mainstream system are stuck in low‐status schools where they face discrimination and institutional exclusion. This has led many of them to retreat to a limited number of schools that have traditionally catered for minority communities. Such segregation calls forth scholarly attention to the paradoxical correlation between the physical mixing of diverse students and equality of educational opportunity, especially equal access to post‐secondary education (PSE)—a key for minority youth to function in the competitive labour market. This study employed the theory of school‐based social capital (SBSC) and compared the ways in which PSE‐relevant institutional resources and support were rationalised and enacted by staff in de facto segregated and desegregated school contexts. Case studies of two secondary schools lead us to argue that desegregation is only effective when institutional structure, culture and agents empower minority students through access to instrumental resources and support for the pursuit of PSE. The findings confound the desegregation policy and call for structural/institutional interventions to ensure instrumental SBSC is accessible to PSE‐bound minority students in all schools, and thus increase the effectiveness of school desegregation.

Transgender Health in the Middle East Region: What Do We Know So Far? A Literature Review.

Our aim is to review transgender people in terms of education, religion, financial security, quality of life (QOL), sexual orientation, behaviors, relationships, access to health care, and gender-affirming therapies in the Middle East region. Electronic databases were used. Eligible studies were those targeting transgender people exclusively in Middle Eastern countries. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people face discrimination with poor access to education and health care. More than half (56%) of trans women admitted that religion is important, and 54% identified as Muslim. The majority of trans women (81%) reported financial hardship, 75% lacked insurance coverage, and 40% claimed a monthly income of <$500. Depression and suicide attempts were common. Discrimination was also endemic in medical settings. QOL was significantly lower. They were more likely to be engaged in coercive sex and sex work and reported negative or absent family relationships. Finally, transgender people reported high concern with their body image and gender confirmation treatments. Publications in transgender health showed a sharp rise after 2005, however, it is still an understudied and an under-published topic, particularly in the Middle East. This review is the first to summarize the global situation of transgender people in the Middle East, and to reveal disparities in terms of education, religion, finance, mental/physical health, access to health care, QOL, sexual orientation, behaviors, relationships, and gender confirmation treatments. Larger studies are warranted to further study this population and create positive interventions that can improve their overall well-being.

Levels of discriminatory practices and behaviours towards employees with disabilities in the Jordanian public sector: an exploratory analytical study

PurposeBased on the principle of equality, individuals with disabilities have the right to equal job opportunities and career advancements and to actively participate in the economy like other members of society. This study aims to provide an integrated description of discriminatory occupational practices and behaviours that individuals with disabilities face. This study followed the descriptive analytical approach to achieve the objectives. A questionnaire was used for data collection purposes.Design/methodology/approachThe target population for this study was male and female employees with disabilities working in the Jordanian Government sector for the years 2019–2022 in all governorates of Jordan. The sample method used was purposive-convenient random sampling, and the size of the sample valid for statistical analysis was n = 1,043. Using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (v26), a number of statistical tests were conducted to infer the features of the researched phenomenon.FindingsThis study found an overall moderate level (mean = 2.76) of practices and behaviours of job discrimination against individuals with disabilities in the Jordanian public sector. All proposed practices and behaviours were at moderate levels of agreement, with the highest discriminatory behaviours being in the areas of training and learning opportunities (2.88), followed by job performance evaluation (2.84), work leave and vacation (2.75), integration and social participation (2.74), career advancement and promotion (2.73) and, last, the distribution of tasks and responsibilities (2.61). Furthermore, it was found that there are significant differences in the levels of discriminatory practices and behaviours towards people with physical disabilities, individuals with visual impairments and psychological disabilities, new employees at work and those with a low level of education. In addition, employees at higher administrative levels (manager, deputy/assistant manager and head of department/division) and workers in the southern and central governorates are exposed to the highest levels of discrimination.Research limitations/implicationsLack of data: There is often a lack of reliable and comprehensive data on employees with disabilities, making it difficult for researchers to accurately study and understand the experiences of this population. Stigma and discrimination: People with disabilities often face stigma and discrimination, which can make it challenging for researchers to engage with them and collect accurate information.Practical implicationsMoreover, it was found that the main agencies to which cases of discriminatory practices towards individuals with disabilities working in the Jordanian public sector are reported are the direct managers/supervisors (n = 381), the ministry to which the institution/department belongs (n = 278) and the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (n = 261).Social implicationsSupporting social inclusion: Employment can provide a sense of purpose, identity and social inclusion for people with disabilities, which can have a positive impact on their disabilities and overall quality of life. Improving diversity and inclusion: The inclusion of employees with disabilities can contribute to a more diverse and inclusive workplace, where all employees feel valued and respected.Originality/valueThis study found that discriminatory practices against employees with disabilities in the Jordanian public sector were largely because of a lack of awareness of reporting mechanisms and negative attitudes towards individuals with disabilities. This study proposes solutions such as raising awareness among non-disabled employees, implementing penalties for discriminatory behaviour and updating legislation for the rights of individuals with disabilities.

Reflecting on a Big Year for Mental Health

Reflecting on a Big Year for Mental Health

Perception and Preparedness of Medical Students Towards the Health Care Needs Of LGBTQIA+ Community: A Cross-Sectional Study in Vadodara, Western India

Introduction: The legalization of LGBTQIA+ community will bring a new stream of patients and their specific issues to healthcare community. Despite getting their place in society, they face discrimination and stigma from healthcare professionals, which will roadblock them from accessing healthcare. This study aims to document the perception of upcoming healthcare providers towards the LGBTQIA+ community and their preparedness to address their healthcare needs. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey conducted among 299 final MBBS students and Interns during “Pride month” June, 2022. An investigator-designed, validated, pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire using Google forms, documented sexual-orientation of participants and their existing knowledge, attitude and practice towards the healthcare needs of LGBTQIA+ community. Results: Total 299 participants were enrolled, having a Response Rate of 94.9% (315 total participants). Proportion of female and male was 44.8% and 54.8% as sex (biological) respectively and 54.5% of participants identified themselves as man and 44.8% as woman as gender. Awareness about LGBTQIA+ community was among 98.33% of the participants. Mean Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Scores were 18.4 +2.7, 80.5 +12.4 and 31.4 +5.9, respectively and were positively correlated to each other. Female participants scored significantly higher, statistically than male participants in knowledge, attitude and practice domains. Conclusion: Despite of good knowledge and positive attitude toward LGBTQIA+ people, pockets of ignorance and discomfort reside among medical undergraduates and interns.