Students abuse in undergraduate of the Medicine Faculty of the UNAM

Abstract

Introduction: The abuse to students is documented in many schools of medicine in the world. His presence is manifested by decrease of confidence in themselves, poor academic performance and be a source of family and social conflict. The recognition of this phenomenon gives relief to the affected people, associated with a diminution of the abusive behavior.

Method: We conducted a transversal prospective observational study with students of the Faculty of Medicine of the UNAM from the first to the fourth year of the career.

Results: 2250 students were survey, being the majority women. There was no statistically significant difference by sex in the composition between the four scholarship years. 73.5% were basic science students. The abuse was referred to by more than a quarter of the students studied (27%). Statistical differences in prevalence between the different school years were observed. Abuse by authoritarianism was the one with the highest percentage, followed by a lesser extent to that associated with gender, sexual harassment, and sexual orientation. Being physical abuse the least common. Minimizing the importance of the event was the main reason not to report, followed by not to know what to do or the fear of possible reprisals There is a lack of information and diffusion about the mechanisms for reporting this type of incidents and to recognize de trail and resolution of the case.

Conclusion: different types of abuse were found; although some of them are not recognize or are tolerated According to the findings the same person would have suffered more than one.