Gender issues among medical students in sri lanka: a preliminary Study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Find out if gender issues affect the progress of medical students ill Sri Lanka, METHOD: Students of the Medical Faculty, Kelahrya University, were given a questionnaire that explored gender issues in relation to academic and extracurricular activities in the Faculty. Results of examinations conducted by the Faculty in 1997 and 1998, and data published by the University Grants Commission on final examinations conducted by four other medical faculties in 1996 and 1997 were also analysed for sex-related differences using the X test for dichotomous variables. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 651/855 (76.1%) of registered students, including 341 females. Overall, most (43.6-73.0%) felt that their training was not affected by gender, but 14-42% (both male and female) answered positively; the percentage increased significantly with seniority (X2for linear trend-16.483, p=0.005). Females were significantly less likely to participate in extracurricular activities (220/341 vs. 239/310, X2=12.36, p<0.001). The proportion of females who obtained classes were higher than that of males in 12/15 examinations analysed, with statistically significant differences in four (two in Kelaniya and one each in Peradeniya and Ruhuna). Higher proportions of males were referred / failed in all eight examinations analysed; the differences were statistically significant in rwo. CONCLUSIONS: A significant minority of medical students of both sexes in the Kelaniya University feels that their gender is a disadvantage to them during training. Female students appear to do marginally better than males in undergraduate examinations.