Sexual Harassment of Women During Medical Internships: Association with Knowledge of Protective Laws in Lima, Peru
Author(s)
Keyla Rocha Meira
Anderson N. Soriano Moreno
Date Issued
12 de marzo de 2024
Type
Preprint
Abstract
Abstract Background: Sexual harassment against women in work and study environments remains highly prevalent today despite the existence of various laws that punish such behavior. This study seeks to understand the mechanisms behind this high prevalence by determining the association between sexual harassment of female medical students and graduates during their hospital internships in Lima, Peru, and their knowledge of laws and preventive measures against sexual harassment. Additionally, it examines the prevalence of sexual harassment and awareness of current regulations.Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among female medical students and graduates of hospital internships at various hospitals in Lima, Peru, between 2022 and 2023. Data were collected through a 43-question survey on sexual harassment and Peruvian Anti-Harassment Law No. 27942 knowledge. Associations were analyzed using the chi-square test, and frequencies and percentages were evaluated.Results: A total of 99 women participated, of whom 81.8% were medical students and 18.2% had already graduated. In the hospital, sexual harassment was reported by 70% of the participants. Among these victims, 57.6% were aged 22 to 25, and 74% held Peruvian nationality. Only 1% of the affected women filed complaints. A total of 67% of the respondents expressed that they would probably have reported incidents of sexual harassment if they had access to information about Law 23733. Among the aggressors, 71% were men, and 39% were teaching staff at hospital internships. The study found no direct association between law knowledge and sexual harassment. However, there was a significant association between lack of knowledge of the law's effects and applicability and sexual harassment.Conclusions: A lack of knowledge about the effects and consequences of noncompliance with the Anti-Harassment Law is associated with more cases of sexual harassment. A high prevalence of sexual harassment above the average reported in previous studies was found. A better propagation of the law is necessary to increase awareness of the subject and possibly decrease the prevalence of sexual harassment in this population.