Muslim women choice for gender of obstetricians and gynecologist in Turkey

Authors

  • Meltem Demirgöz Bal Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4009-7137
  • Sema Dereli Yılmaz Selçuk University
  • Nezihe Kızılkaya Beji Istanbul University
  • Seyfettin Uludağ Istanbul University

Keywords:

Obstetrician/gynecologist, Gender choice, Turkish women, Muslim, Women health

Abstract

Objective: It would generally be thought of that the Muslim women especially preferred female obstetricians/gynecologists (ob/gyn). The aim of this study is to investigate the gender preference of Turkish Muslim women regarding ob/gyn, and identify other features that affect their choice.

Methods: In this study it has been included 710 women attending to gynecology and antenatal clinics and they have been asked to complete a survey questionnaire containing 16 items and requiring opinion on whether they want to be examined medically by a female or male ob/gyn and have no preference. The questions have also contained the reasons for the stated preference.

Results: Of all participants, 230 (32,3%) preferred to have a female ob/gyn, 380(53,5%) declared no preference, and 100(14,2%) preferred to have a male ob/gyn. The reasons for female preference were i) having a very good communication (36%), ii) embarrassment (32%) and iii) feeling comfortable with female ob/gyn (27%). Surprisingly, only 5% women responded that the religious orders are important in their preference. The participants who have larger family, lower level of education, lower income, higher unemployment, parity of 4 and over, and first gynecological examination, have preferred female ob/gyn (p<0,05). One hundred women who preferred to be examined by a male doctor stated that the reasons for their preference were i) surgical skills (45%), ii) even tempered (35%) and iii) understanding problems better (20%).

Conclusions: The majority of women have expressed no preference about gender of their ob/gyn, but a significant proportion of the remainder would prefer to be examined by a female doctor when they have been given the choice. However the religious effects on female ob/gyn preference have been found much less than the cultural effects.

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Author Biographies

Meltem Demirgöz Bal, Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University

Assist. Prof. Dr., Karamanoglu Mehmetbey University, Health College, Karaman

Sema Dereli Yılmaz, Selçuk University

Assist. Prof. Dr., Selçuk University, Health Sciences Faculty, Department of Midwifery, Konya

Nezihe Kızılkaya Beji, Istanbul University

Prof. Dr., Istanbul University, Florence Nightingale Nursing Faculty, Department of Obstetric and Gynecology Nursing

Seyfettin Uludağ, Istanbul University

Prof. Dr., Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Health Faculty, Department of Gynecologic and Obstetric

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Published

2014-07-04

How to Cite

Demirgöz Bal, M., Dereli Yılmaz, S., Kızılkaya Beji, N., & Uludağ, S. (2014). Muslim women choice for gender of obstetricians and gynecologist in Turkey. Journal of Human Sciences, 11(2), 64–73. Retrieved from https://www.j-humansciences.com/ojs/index.php/IJHS/article/view/2873

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Section

Medicine