Gynaecology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Gynaecology, including details on pap smears, laparoscopy, ultrasound, hysteroscopy.

Practitioner gender preference among gynecologic patients in Iraq.

Lafta RK

Medical College, Mustansiriya University, Baghdad, Iraq. riyadhlafta@yahoo.com

As the number of female practitioners increases, patients have expanding options from which to choose the gender of their practitioner. This study was conducted to uncover the attitudes of female patients toward obstetricians and gynecologists (ob/gyns) of different gender and the factors associated with their attitudes. A cross-sectional sample of 500 randomly chosen females was recruited and administered a questionnaire. Among respondents, 428 were married, 72 were unmarried, and they were ages 17-70 years. Most respondents (73%) prefer a female gynecologist and (79%) a female obstetrician. Eight percent preferred a male ob/gyn and 18% had no gender preference. Most female clients had a strong preference for a female ob/gyn. This was associated with social tradition and religious beliefs. The preference for female practitioners declined with rising educational levels.

Published 17 February 2006 in Health Care Women Int, 27(2): 125-30.
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