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Medical students’ perception of sexual orientation in Sagamu, southwestern Nigeria: implications for access to HIV care

Medical students’ perception of sexual orientation in Sagamu, southwestern Nigeria: implications... The prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is about four times higher among individuals with same-sex orientation as against the general population. This may be partly due to judgmental, heteronormative attitudes among health workers, thereby affecting access to care. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to assess the perception of final-year medical students of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria on sexual orientation and its implications on access to HIV care and support services.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among final-year medical students. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 20. Relevant descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated. Participation was fully voluntary.FindingsMore males (70 percent) were aware of the concept of sexual orientation than females (60.4 percent). Most (94 percent) males and all female respondents felt homosexuality was against the order of nature. More males (76 percent) than females (62.3 percent) felt men having sex with men and homosexuality were synonymous. More females (50.9 percent) than males (48 percent) felt gay doctors should not be employed in public hospitals.Originality/valueRespondents had a poor perception of sexual orientation and there were no significant differences between genders. This could contribute to existing stigmatization against individuals with minority sexual orientations. It should be addressed in the medical curriculum. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare Emerald Publishing

Medical students’ perception of sexual orientation in Sagamu, southwestern Nigeria: implications for access to HIV care

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References (50)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
© Emerald Publishing Limited
ISSN
2056-4902
DOI
10.1108/ijhrh-10-2017-0066
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is about four times higher among individuals with same-sex orientation as against the general population. This may be partly due to judgmental, heteronormative attitudes among health workers, thereby affecting access to care. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to assess the perception of final-year medical students of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria on sexual orientation and its implications on access to HIV care and support services.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among final-year medical students. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 20. Relevant descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated. Participation was fully voluntary.FindingsMore males (70 percent) were aware of the concept of sexual orientation than females (60.4 percent). Most (94 percent) males and all female respondents felt homosexuality was against the order of nature. More males (76 percent) than females (62.3 percent) felt men having sex with men and homosexuality were synonymous. More females (50.9 percent) than males (48 percent) felt gay doctors should not be employed in public hospitals.Originality/valueRespondents had a poor perception of sexual orientation and there were no significant differences between genders. This could contribute to existing stigmatization against individuals with minority sexual orientations. It should be addressed in the medical curriculum.

Journal

International Journal of Human Rights in HealthcareEmerald Publishing

Published: Oct 10, 2018

Keywords: Care; Perception; Sexual orientation; HIV; Medical students

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