Knowledge, attitudes and perception on LGBTQIA+ individuals of medical students and residents

Background: It has been over two decades since World Health Organisation has removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. However, evidence has shown that discrimination and experienced and/or perceived negative encounters with healthcare workers affect frequency and type of healthcare sought by LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, others) members. Attitudes of medical professionals towards LGBTQIA+ can influence their willingness to provide these persons with medical help. There is a dearth of research on how healthcare workers and students in India perceive and interact with LGBTQIA+ individuals. Aim: To gauge the knowledge, attitudes and perception of medical students and residents on LGBTQIA+ community so that appropriate interventions can be made. Methods: Convenient and non-probable sample of medical students and residents were taken, who anonymously completed the preformed questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS for descriptive and analytic calculations. Results: This study revealed medical students held prejudiced attitudes toward LGBTQIA+ individuals. Socio-demographic variables that were associated with negative attitudes were noted. Knowledge levels were also inadequate, and almost all students had not received LGBTQIA+ specific medical education, but most indicated a desire for such education. Conclusion: These findings suggest that raising awareness and education should be done for a positive attitude towards vulnerable groups such as the LGBTQIA+.