Analysis of medical students’ knowledge about gender identity

Abstract: Introduction: Sexuality is a central aspect of a human being’s life that consists of biological sex, sexual orientation and reproduction, in addition to complex concepts such as gender identity, where most doubts arise and, with them, prejudices and oversights. Objective: To analyze the knowledge of medical students in a college about gender identity. Method: This is a descriptive, transversal and quantitative study, carried out from April to May 2018, with the application of a semi-structured questionnaire to 122 medical students, whose answers were delivered in anonymous sealed envelopes. Results: Of the participants, 67.21% and 63.11% were unaware of the concept of heterosexual transgender woman and homosexual transgender man, respectively; 67.21% and 61.47% presented inadequate responses regarding the gynecological examination in trans patients and the transsexual process, respectively. Conclusion: Most students were unaware of concepts related to gender identity. Considering the limits of this research, greater attention to this theme throughout undergraduate training is suggested.