Constance Iroele-Megafu
For most women, the gender of a gynaecologist may not be a primary consideration during pregnancy. This is often because many, especially first-time mothers, are preoccupied with a mix of excitement, anxiety, and the physical and hormonal changes they experience. Choosing a healthcare provider, particularly a gynaecologist, is a personal decision. While many factors influence this choice, gender remains a significant consideration for many Nigerian women. While some prioritize the doctor’s expertise, others feel more comfortable with a female doctor due to cultural, religious, or personal preferences.
Patients Perspective
Some women in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, shared their views on gender preference for a gynaecologist with Constance Iroele-Megafu. Juliet, a mother of two, says her primary concern is the doctor’s experience rather than their gender.
She explained, “I only want a doctor who knows what they’re doing. I can’t feel comfortable with a young doctor, whether male or female.” Denise, another mother who is currently pregnant, agreed, saying, “What’s important to me is having a safe delivery. Let me and my baby come out strong and healthy at the end of the day.” Another mother, Gladys, also agrees. According to her, “all you’re concerned with is to just have a safe delivery and take your baby home safe and sound, not whether Doctor is male or female”.
On the other hand, a mother of two who chose to remain anonymous said she prefers a female doctor, although she is not against those who prefer male doctors. She said, “I prefer having a female doctor attend to me because I believe that a woman can understand me better than a man who doesn’t have the same feelings and experiences like me.”
She also cited religious beliefs as a factor. “My faith as an Islam does not allow for a man who is not a woman’s husband to touch her in the way the doctor would.”
She is one of many other women of her faith who would not allow a male gynaecologist to attend to them due to their religious beliefs. While some non-Muslim women also find it uncomfortable to see a male gynaecologist.
Interestingly, these preferences also impact husbands, who may feel protective over their wives’ privacy. A man, Mr. Chinedu said, “I find it very strange that another man would be examining my wife”. He argued that men should not study gynaecology. “Why would a man even study gynaecology in the first place?” he queried.
Views from Gynaecologists on Patient Preferences
Gynaecologists, like Dr. Dumbari Mbooh, a senior Registrar, Obstetrics/Gynaecology at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), acknowledges the existence of gender bias in their field: “I have encountered a situation where a female is not comfortable or pleased to allow me carryout my professional duty as a gynaecologist,” he said. “I won’t say I’ve had the experience a lot, but I would say like five to ten per cent of my consultations,” he added.
He also cited that, “from experience, we’ve seen that culture, religion and lower level of education are factors that influence this gender bias”.
Dr. Augustus Otogwung, a senior Registrar and Gynaecologist at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), says he hasn’t experienced any bias himself but thinks it is unfair to hold such a bias. He said, “I find it surprising when patients insist on female doctors.” He also questioned, “If you want only female doctors to attend to women, do you want to kill them with too much work?”
The Gender Gap in Gynaecology
A 2022 report by Statista Research Department revealed a gender imbalance in the medical field in Nigeria. In 2019, there were approximately 24.6 thousand doctors, with male doctors constituting 65% of the total. This gap is also visible in gynaecology, where long working hours and busy schedules sometimes discourage female doctors from continuing once they start families.
Dr. Otagwung noted that, “the females mostly go to start a family and so would not continue, unlike men, our life is more adventurous.” He however said the gap is closing. “Lately, we’ve seen more females join the medical field even in schools, the ratio is now tilting towards more females,” he said.
Dr. Mbooh corroborates this. “Before now, gynaecology was a specialty predominantly filled with the male gender, but for the past decade, there have been a rising number of female gynaecologists,” he noted.
Addressing Gender Bias and Building Trust
Dr. Otogwung and Dr. Mboh both believe that doctors can help patients feel comfortable by building trust. One way they suggest is to “have a female nurse or another female doctor in the room as a chaperone during exams.” Dr. Otogwung said this “helps reassure the patient.” Dr. Mboh added, “It’s also important for doctors to have a good relationship with patients, making sure they feel safe and understood.”
In the end, women in Rivers State have varied reasons for choosing a gynaecologist, ranging from comfort to cultural values, and the doctor’s experience. With more women becoming gynaecologists and hospitals creating ways to help patients feel comfortable, the focus may gradually shift from gender to overall trust and confidence in the doctor’s care.
#Constance Iroele-Megafu writes this report as part of the mandatory story publishing requirement for 2024 Women in Journalism Fellowship organised by the Africa Foundation for Young Media Professionals in Port Harcourt, Rivers State
