Perceptions, concepts, attitudes and values of Mexican medicine students about gender: a descriptive study

Background. Morbidity and mortality patterns are not the same for women and men. In health service attendance women's troubles might be minimized. Objective. To analyze some capacities regarding gender approach that are generated in the medical education process. Materials and Methods. An observational, analytic, cross-sectional research was made in a University located in Southeast Mexico. Semi-structured interviews were applied to students, men and women, belonging to both second and eighth semester, until all analysis categories were filled in. Results. Although students did not perceive it as a public health problem, they accepted the existence of gender discrimination and physical and psychological violence against women. The answers of the eighth semester students showed no conceptual construction that could help them in handling this problem in the medical practice. Discussion. There were failures in identifying morbidity differences between women and men.