Attitudes and perceptions of undergraduate medical students about sexual harassment and gender discrimination: A survey-based study.

Background: Sexual harassment (SH) and Gender discrimination (GD) faced by medical students have been neglected areas of study in India. Only a few recent studies could be found, despite frequent media reports on SH and GD. This study aimed to assess the attitudes and perceptions of sexual harassment and gender discrimination and evaluate the forms of SH and GD experienced by them.

Methods: A Google form based mixed method survey tool was distributed amongst students of 28 medical colleges in Maharashtra. Participants were assured of confidentiality and anonymity.

Results: Of the 308 students who were eligible for the present study, 14.3% (44) and 26.6% (82) reported incidence of sexual harassment and gender discrimination, respectively, while 133 (43.2%) of them reported having experienced some or the other form of SH/GD. A wide range of instances of SH and GD were described by the students.

Conclusions: The study highlights the need to create awareness about sexual harassment and gender discrimination amongst medical students, and to create an atmosphere where such abuses do not occur.