Indian Journal of Private Psychiatry

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VOLUME 14 , ISSUE 2 ( July-December, 2020 ) > List of Articles

Original Article

Evaluation of Knowledge and Attitude toward LGBT Community, and the Effect of Education on Knowledge and Attitude in Medical Undergraduates

Lubna Mohammedrafik Nerli, Viral Ratanprakash Shah, Deepak Sachidanand Tiwari, Vishal Kanaiyalal Patel, Disha Alkeshbhai Vasavada, Rangdon Dor Sangma

Keywords : Attitude, Doctors, Knowledge, LGBT community, Religion, Undergraduates

Citation Information : Nerli LM, Shah VR, Tiwari DS, Patel VK, Vasavada DA, Sangma RD. Evaluation of Knowledge and Attitude toward LGBT Community, and the Effect of Education on Knowledge and Attitude in Medical Undergraduates. Ind J Priv Psychiatry 2020; 14 (2):51-56.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10067-0060

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 31-07-2021

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2020; The Author(s).


Abstract

Background: The people of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community are underprivileged in healthcare settings. Knowledge and awareness about LGBT among the medical undergraduates would eventually fulfill the gap of healthcare services. Aim: It is to evaluate the knowledge and attitude toward the LGBT community and the effect of education on knowledge and attitude. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, interventional study of first-year medical students over a period of three days. The “Survey on California State University, Northridge (CSUN) attitude towards LGBT” was used as a survey tool. Statistical test: Descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test were used for the analysis of data. Results: Out of 51 students, 32 (62.74%) were raised in a religious household. The results also showed that as compared to males, females were more religious in terms of frequency of visiting religious places and practicing religious preaching. The majority percentage of students disagrees with the traditional gender roles without any significant gender differences. It was also found that as compared to females, more percentage of males are uncomfortable in interacting with LGBT people. The results show that the students have better knowledge about LGBT people; however, the change from “neutral” and “agreement” to “disagreement” is not much significant. The students have a positive attitude toward the LGBT people, but there is no significant change in the attitude postintervention. Conclusion: This study concludes that though there is positive knowledge and attitude toward LGBT people among medical undergraduates, they are not comfortable in interacting with them.


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