RESUMO
The objective of the study was to assess the perception of women patients toward attitude of health professionals who have undergone physical examination.A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,257 women. A self-administered structured questionnaire comprising of 16 questions was designed to assess perception of patients toward attitude of health professionals.Mean perception scores of the study population were 19.79 ± 1.78. Women in the age group of 29-38 years had a greater perception (20.34 ± 1.54) that they had been a subject or could be a subject to sexual exploitation by a doctor. Graduate and above group participants had a greater perception (19.54 ± 1.86) when compared to primary and secondary education level (19.52 ± 1.85, 18.35 ± 1.5). Data were analyzed using ANOVA.Women had mixed perception of sexual gratification toward male doctors. It is necessary to educate the doctors regarding the respect, dignity, and values for female patients, which could reduce occupational defamation.