Female medical students’ inclinations towards surgery and their perceptions about gender-based discrimination: A cross-sectional survey in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: The number of female medical students is increasing worldwide. In high-income countries, females typically comprise 50% of medical school classes. In Ethiopia, the number of female medical students is also increasing, although it lags behind high-income countries. We aimed to assess the inclinations of female medical students for surgery, their perceptions of gender-based discrimination, and the deterrent factors to pursuing surgery as a career during the clinical years of training at the Addis Ababa University School of Medicine (AAU–SOM).

Methods: One hundred twenty female medical students and interns from the AAU–SOM completed a 4-page survey to measure their degree of interest in surgery and their perceptions about discrimination based on their gender. Data were compiled and analysed using SPSS version 24.

Results: Of the 120 participants, 39 (32.5%) were first-year clinical medical students, 42 (35%) were second-year clinical medical students, and the rest (n=39, 32.5%) were interns. Eighty-three per cent reported enjoying their attachment to surgery, and 56% of the participants were considering surgery as a career. Sixty respondents (50%) expressed that the art of the profession is the main reason for their interest in surgery. The main deterrents to pursuing a surgical career were hardships during residency, family concerns, stress levels during residency, and lack of female role models in the field of surgery. Twenty-six participants (21.7%) claimed that they experienced discrimination because of their gender, while 44 (36.7%) felt discouraged to join surgery by their family members, colleagues, or instructors.

Conclusions: The majority of female students enjoyed their attachments in surgery and would consider surgery as a career. However, multiple factors deterring women from choosing surgery were identified. Solutions to ease surgical training for women, such as encouraging mentorship and role modelling by female surgeons and students, and providing support for residents with families, will be crucial for making surgery more attractive as a potential career path. The participants disclosed the existence of discrimination and harassment, which should be addressed urgently in view of improving training conditions for female medical students.