title: Attitudes of patients towards being cared for by male nurses in a Jamaican hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the attitudes of patients towards male nurses in a Jamaican hospital.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  More males in nursing will help to address the nursing shortage and provide diversity in the profession. Patient attitudes towards male nurses will influence recruitment and retention.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was used. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and an attitudinal measuring scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-three patients responded (response rate 91%). Male nurses were perceived negatively by 51% of respondents. However, only 10% had a negative perception of the care they received from male nurses. More males (80%) than females (54%) had a negative attitude towards receiving an enema from a male nurse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients generally had a negative attitude towards male nurses but had a positive view if they were cared for by a male nurse. These traits can be used as the basis of changing the gender balance of nurses in Jamaica.
authors: The UWI School of Nursing, Mona, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Adeyemi-Adelanwa
authors: The UWI School of Nursing, Mona, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
authors: Antoinette
authors: A
authors: Barton-Gooden
authors: The UWI School of Nursing, Mona, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica. Electronic address: pauline.dawkins@uwimona.edu.jm.
authors: Pauline
authors: P
authors: Dawkins
authors: The UWI School of Nursing, Mona, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica. Electronic address: Jaslindo@hotmail.com.
authors: Jascinth L M
authors: JL
authors: Lindo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007563:Jamaica; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009727:Nurses, Male; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Jamaica; Male caregivers; Male health workers; Male nurses; Patients’ attitude