Factors Influencing the Occurrence of Gender Discrimination Among Male Nursing Students of Oyo State College of Nursing Sciences During Clinical Postings

Abstract

Gender discrimination in nursing education remains a subtle yet prevalent issue that undermines inclusivity and professional development. Male nursing students often face social and institutional barriers that affect their confidence, learning experiences, and long-term career commitment. Understanding the forms, sources, and coping strategies related to such discrimination is crucial for promoting gender equity in nursing training and clinical practice. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted. The study population comprised of all 101 male nursing students of Oyo State College of Nursing Sciences. Data was collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire, and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Descriptive statistics were used for data summarization, while Chi-square tests were employed to examine associations at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that 77.2% of the respondents had experienced or known someone who had experienced gender-based discrimination during clinical postings. Patients and their families (69.3%) and hospital staff (49.5%) were the most common sources of discrimination. Major contributing factors included patients’ preference for female nurses (78.2%) and societal belief that nursing is a female profession (77.2%). More than half (56.4%) of the respondents reported focusing on improving clinical skills as a coping strategy. Chi square analysis showed no significant relationship between academic level (χ² = 3.039, p = 0.219) or clinical posting area (p > 0.05) and discrimination experience. The study concluded that gender-based discrimination remains a major challenge for male nursing students, driven largely by societal and cultural stereotypes. It is recommended that institutions should implement gender-sensitivity training, promote male mentorship, and strengthen anti discrimination policies to foster inclusivity.