Knowledge, attitude, and practice of gynaecologists towards virginity testing in Egypt: a cross-sectional study

Heba S. Mohamed, Zakia M. Ibrahim, Mariam Lotfy, Mohamed F. Ibrahim

Abstract

This cross-sectional study evaluated gynecologists' attitudes, practices, and knowledge of obstetricians in Egypt towards virginity testing (VT). The study involved 120 gynecologists from private clinics and hospitals in Ismailia, Egypt. The questionnaire was developed in three sections: Section one asked questions on participants' socio demographic backgrounds, while Section two inquired on the gynecologists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning VT. Section three of the questionnaire solicited information from the respondents about the characteristics of women who were submitted for VT. The results showed that 82.5% of the participants were unable to adequately identify VT. Sixty-five (54.2%) of the participants reported negative attitudes towards VT. The most common motivation for performing VT was the exclusion of an imperforate hymen in 70% of participants. 68.2% of women who presented for VT were unmarried, and 80.8% were Muslims. Virginity testing is practiced among Egyptian gynecologists despite the lack of accurate knowledge and a positive attitude towards its disadvantages.

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