Practical and Theoretical Barriers Facing Male Students at Antenatal and Intra-natal Units of Ain Shams Maternity University Hospital Thesis

Abstract

Historically men have been identified as having caregiver roles in organized nursing throughout history, for example: military and religious orders of men throughout the centuries have provided care to the sick and injured. Despite this history, the role of men in nursing tends to be forgotten (Twomey & Meadus, 2008). Male nurses have been a minority group within the nursing profession. Gender and sex role stereotyping are recognized as having the potential to limit the professional development of males within the nursing profession. Dilemmas related to gender role stereotypes seem to be exacerbated when men first enter the maternal- child health (MCH) rotation in their nursing education program. The intimate nature of maternity care and its sexual overtones make male nurses uncomfortable. They may feel that they are intruding on a private pace. They are often anxious about this aspect of care (Anthony, 2006 & El - Sayed, 2009). Aim of the study: This study aimed to investigate the practical and theoretical barriers facing male students at antenatal and intra-natal units in Obstetrics and Gynecological Hospital of Ain Shams University. Research questions: Are male nursing students facing practical and theoretical barriers regarding working in antenatal and intra-natal units? A- Research design: A descriptive study design was used to investigate the practical and theoretical barriers facing male students at Antenatal and Intra-natal Units in Obstetrics and Gynecological Hospital of Ain Shams University. B-Setting: The study was conducted at Antenatal and Intra-natal Obstetrics and Gynecological Hospital of Ain Shams University and Faculty of nursing at Ain shams University. C-Subjects: A purposive sample of this study was composed of 153 male nursing students from Faculty of Nursing at Ain Shams University and fulfilled study inclusion criteria. Sample criteria: Sample was selected in the study according to certain criteria: male nursing students who study obstetrics in the third year and male nursing students in the fourth year that had retrograde experience about obstetrics. The internship male nursing students were added to sample size to become satisfactory (153) in the academic year 2014-2015. They were distributed as follows: • Third year male nursing students=41 • Fourth year male nursing students=84 • Male nurse interns available at the time of data collection=28