[The attitude of Arabic-speaking women to gynecological examinations].
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to describe and analyse the attitude of Arabic-speaking women to gynaecological examinations, with particular focus on the importance of the sex of the examining doctor.


METHODS
Over a six-month period in 1998 all women of presumed Arabic origin were invited to participate in the investigation by referral to the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at Odense University Hospital. An Arabic questionnaire was given to the participants and a Danish translation for second generation immigrants was also attached.


CONCLUSIONS
A total of one hundred questionnaires were collected. Of these about one third refused a gynaecological examination (GE) by a male doctor. Most gave their religion as the reason, whereas only a few refused the GE for personal reasons, and none claimed that their husband was the reason for their refusal. In half the cases, a female doctor was sent for. Many of the women who refused the GE by a male doctor were both educated and working, but their residence in Denmark was short. There was a connection between the refusal of the GE by a male doctor and the length of time the women had lived in Denmark. Most of those who were examined by a male doctor have lived in Denmark longer than those who refused the same GE.
Said
Abir M
AM
Odense Universitetshospital, gynaekologisk-obstetrisk afdeling D.
Wielandt
Hanne B
HB
D000328:Adult; D018912:Arabs / Q000523:psychology*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003718:Denmark; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000523:psychology*; D010822:Physicians, Women; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000208:ethnology; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*