Factors influencing Medical Students to Pursue Career in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Saudi Arabia

Factors influencing Medical Students to Pursue Career in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Saudi Arabia | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Factors influencing Medical Students to Pursue Career in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Saudi Arabia Ayoob Lone, Humaira Zareen, Fahad Mohammed Alturkie, Ahmed Khalid Alnawah, and 4 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7418553/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background: According to the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, the specialty of obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYNE) is displaying a growing gap between the empty positions and the number of applicants. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to ascertain the perception of medical students about obstetrics and gynecology specialty and identify the factors influencing medical students in choosing OB/GYNE as a future career. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study invited 476 medical undergraduate students to complete an anonymous electronic survey that consists of questions related career intentions, opportunities, and attitudes of medical students toward OB/GYNE and questions about factors that attracts and discourages students to choose OB/GYNE as a career. We examined the statistical association between the categorical variables by using Chi-square test. Results: The results of the present study indicated that 154 (32.35%) students were interested in OB/GYNE. Sixty-one percent (19.24%) female participants reported OB/GYNE as their first choice, while only 11 (6.92%) male participants expressed OB/GYNE as their first choice. Female medical students reported that rotation through OB/GYNE during medical school, presence of a role model in OB/GYNE specialty, faculty interaction, faculty encouragement, patients’ desire for a female physician, cultural expectations, intellectual content of OBGYN, and spouse/family opinion were attracting factors to the OB/GYNE specialty. On the other hand, level of stress and night duties were discouraging factors among female students. The main factors attracting male medical students towards OB/GYNE specialty were taking care of a healthy population and surgical opportunities. Patients’ desire for a female physician, cultural expectations, spouse/family opinion, and affect family life/ family considerations were discouraging factors in choosing OB/GYNE as a future careers for male students. Conclusion: Majority of the factors that discourage male medical students from choosing OB/GYNE as a future careers are to some extend modifiable. The large gender imbalance should encourage consideration of the reason for male students choosing OB/GYNE in falling numbers. Health sciences/Health care Health sciences/Health occupations Health sciences/Medical research Obstetrics Gynecology Medical students Career Saudi Arabia Introduction Over the past three decades, obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) residents has been reduced [ 1 ] and influencing the medical workforce for a balanced national healthcare system requires knowledge and awareness of how medical students select postgraduate specialties [ 2 ]. This information is particularly significant in some parts of the world where students can select their specialization without taking a ranking exam, as is necessary in France and Belgium [ 2 ]. Obstetrics and gynecology is one of the main medical specialization that medical graduates might pursue as a future career, but it is also one of the least appealing specialties to medical students [ 1 ]. Saudi Commission for Health Specialties reported a growing disparity between the number of applications for obstetrics and gynecology and the number of open posts in the specialty [ 3 ]. With the declining number of medical graduates expressing interest in the specialty, several authors contend that the specialty is experiencing a recruitment crisis [ 4 ]. According to previous findings, gender consideration, lifestyle, money, stress level, litigation, and interest in the field were a key determinants of applicants for OB/GYN residency, yet several countries had differing ratios of the importance of various elements [ 1 ]. Therefore, there is a concerning disparity between the number of applicants and the rising demand for obstetricians and gynecologists. This raises major questions about the kind of care that overworked and weary doctors in the field are able to offer, which could result in higher incidence of problems, patient complaints and discontent, and potential medical legal actions [ 3 ]. Several studies have been conducted nationally and internationally that explored the influencing factors choosing OB/GYNE as a career of choice among medical students. A recent study conducted in Taiwan found that the top influencing factor was being interested in clinical expertise with the second factor was having a great sense of accomplishment in saving people [ 1 ]. Another study reported that female gender was the only significant factor associated with choosing OB/GYNE specialty as a career, and male participants reported barriers preventing them to choose this specialty [ 5 ]. A research in Switzerland which determine motivating factors for choosing a specialty career in obstetrics and gynecology over surgery or general practice, the results indicated that experiential factors such as technical aspects, experiences as a student, skills/interest/affinity, level of enthusiasm and passion and gender to be particular influencing factors to choose OB/GYNE [ 2 ]. In Saudi Arabia context, few studies have been reported. Abu-Rafea et al., study found that only 9.7% of the students choose OB/GYNE as a top 3 choice for a future career, and the rotations of students through OB/GYNE was the most influential factor [ 3 ]. Other factors were also found to attract students such as faculty interaction and performing deliveries and procedures [ 3 ]. A study conducted in Jazan, south of Saudi Arabia, reported that 8.8% of medical students put OB/GYNE as their first choice and 17.6% as their second choice, with being female as a significant associated influencer [ 4 ]. Another study reported Saudi cultural acceptance of the female gender, the opportunity to observe procedures, and family pressures were the supporting ideas to continue OB/GYNE as a career [ 6 ]. To the best of our knowledge, no study has been conducted to identify the influencing factors to choose obstetrics and gynecology as a career in the Eastern Governorate of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the aim of the study was to ascertain the perception of medical students about obstetrics and gynecology specialty and identify the factors influencing medical students in choosing obstetrics and gynecology as a future career. Methods Study design A descriptive, cross-sectional based study was performed particularly medical students studying in public universities of Eastern governorate of Saudi Arabia. Data was collected between April 2025 to June 2025. This study was conducted in accordance with Helsinki Declaration for the human research and Ethical clearance was obtained from Deanship of Scientific Research, King Faisal University, (KFU-REC-2023-ETHICS869). All study participants were informed about the goal and aim of the research, and the survey was proceeded after getting signed consent from the participants Study population The medical students enrolled in Universities located in eastern Governorate of Saudi Arabia were included in our research. Approximately 3100 medical students were enrolled in these universities. Out of 3100 students, 1800 students were from King Faisal University and 1300 medical students were enrolled from Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. In Saudi Arabia, the six-year bachelor of medicine and surgery program consists of three preclinical years and four clinical years. The College of Medicine uses an innovative teaching style in order to fulfill its vision and goal of educating future physicians. The inclusion criteria were Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students, age > 18 years and Saudi citizens. The study excluded those < 18 years, non-Saudi, private colleges student, non-medical students, unwillingness to fill the questionnaire, and those who did not consent to participate. Sample size The participants were recruited using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. The sample size for this study was calculated using Slovin’s formula [ 7 ] with a confidence interval of 95% and margin of error of 0.05. A total of 400 students were selected to participate in this study and we increased the sample upto 500 subjects. Out of five hundred sample 476 participants completed the survey with a 95.20% response rate. Missing data from 24 participants were not included in the study. Study tools An adapted English version of two previously designed questionnaires were used to fulfill the study aim [ 4 , 8 ]. There were three sections in the questionnaire consists of 30 items. Five items for career intention, opportunities and attitude toward Obstetrics and Gynecology 18 items for factors related to attraction and discourage of the Obstetrics and Gynecology, and few question for demographic information. Career Intention : Opportunities and Attitude toward Obstetrics and Gynecology: The first sections consists of five items, which includes the intention of choosing the obstetrics and gynecology as a future career. Those answered ‘not interested’ in career intentions were further asked about their interests, participants view on the training in the specialty, and the impact of splitting obstetrics and gynecology on choosing the specialty. Attracting and discouraging factors To explore factors for liking and disliking towards OB/GYNE, 18 questions were used which were designed by previous studies [ 8 ]. Respondents were asked to rate each statement on a 3-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (discouraged), 2 (neutral), 3 (attracted). The total score was derived by adding the scores of items belonging to different areas, and the total scores were obtained for each domain. Demographical data: The demographic information including age, gender, academic year, GPA and medical school attended was collected using the questionnaire. Data collection Before data collection, a pilot study was conducted with 30 students to confirm the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. A trained medical students were recruited from both of the universities to reach out the targeted sample. Each batch of students in the college has its own social network group through which it shares information. We contacted the administrator of the social network (WhatsApp) group to inform the batch-mates about the study, and their email addresses were then obtained. Before data collection, each student was contacted via email to determine his or her willingness to participate in the study. After obtaining written consent, the students were asked to complete an electronic survey (Google Form). Statistical analysis After verifying the quality and consistency of the data, they were coded and exported to the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS, version 27) for analysis. To ensure a consistent number of respondents across the study and all analyses, only participants who provided complete relevant information were included. Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages, and associations between them were assessed using the Chi-square test. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The present study invited 500 students studying in different medical colleges of Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. A total of 476 students (Male = 159; Females = 317) finally completed the questionnaire. The other 24 participants were reluctant to respond all items of the questionnaire were excluded. Table 1 shows that majority of 71.4% participants were between 21–24 years old. Most of the participants 371 (77.9%) were enrolled in King Faisal University and 105 (22.1%) participants were enrolled in Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. The percentage of single and married participants were 81.3 and 18.7 respectively. Table 2 presents the respondents interests in obstetrics and gynecology as a future career among medical students. Out of 476 students, 154 (32.35%) were interested in obstetrics and gynecology. Table 2 clearly shows males (87.42%) were less interested in obstetrics and gynecology as a future career than females participants (57.73%). Regarding the choices, 61 (19.24%) female participants expressed their first choice in obstetrics and gynecology, whereas only 6.92% male participants expressed their first choice in this specialty. In terms of age, 21 (28.77%) of participants more than 25 years old showed interest as a first choice in obstetrics and gynecology, while as 71.17% participants whose age between 20–25 years were not interested in obstetrics and gynecology as future career. For academic year, approximately 22% intern students expressed the first choice in obstetrics and gynecology whereas nearly 81% 5th year students showed poor interest in this specialty. Students from Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University expressed obstetrics and gynecology as a first choice (31.43%), whereas participants from King Faisal University (73.05%) reported poor interest in obstetrics and gynecology. In regard to the marital status, 23 (25.84%) married participants showed interest in obstetrics and gynecology as a future career while as 276 (71.32%) unmarried students showed no interest in obstetrics and gynecology. Nearly 71% participants with low monthly income observed no interest in obstetrics and gynecology, while as approximately 30% participants whose monthly income falls between 5001-10000SAR preferred obstetrics and gynecology as their first choice. Nearly 77% students with high grade point average (GPA) did not preferred obstetrics and gynecology as their future specialty whereas student with average GPA expressed obstetrics and gynecology as their first preference. Table 1 : Demographic characteristics of Study participants Characteristics N % Gender Male 159 33.4 Female 317 66.6 Age 25 years 73 15.3 Academic year 1st year 15 3.2 2nd year 37 7.8 3rd year 69 14.5 4th year 84 17.6 5th year 76 16.0 6th year 94 19.7 Intern 101 21.2 Medical school attended King Faisal University 371 77.9 Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University 105 22.1 Marital status Single 387 81.3 Married 89 18.7 Monthly income (SAR) 15001 36 7.6 GPA < 1.5 12 2.5 1.51–2.50 20 4.2 2.51–3.50 94 19.7 3.51–4.50 124 26.1 4.51–5.00 226 47.5 The percentage of perception of opportunities to train in obstetrics and gynecology is shown in Table 2 . Out of 476 participants, 273 (57.35%) students expressed more opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology. In terms of gender, female participants (40.69%) were reported more opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology as compared to male (27.67%) counterparts. Regarding the age, approximately 56% of participants who are more than 25 years old perceived more opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology, while as half of participants between 20–25 years were not sure about the opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology. For academic year, nearly 52% intern students expressed more opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology whereas nearly 60% preparatory year students were not sure about the opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology. Half of study sample from Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University reported more opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology, whereas, approximately, 47% participants from King Faisal University were not sure about opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology. Table 2 Career Intention, Opportunities and Attitude of medical students toward Obstetrics and Gynecology based on different demographic variables Career Intention First Choice Second Choice Not Interested P value N (%) N (%) N (%) Gender Male 11 (6.92) 9 (5.66) 139 (87.42) 0.00 Female 61 (19.24) 73 (23.03) 183 (57.73) Age 25 years 21(28.77) 16 (21.92) 36 (49.31) Academic Year Preparatory year 2 (13.33) 4 (26.77) 9 (60.00) 0.03 Ist year 6 (16.22) 3 (8.11) 28 (75.67) 2nd year 13 (18.84) 9 (13.04) 47 (68.12) 3rd year 14 (16.66) 15 (17.86) 55 (65.48) 4th year 7 (9.21) 19 (25.00) 50 (65.79) 5th year 8 (8.51) 10 (10.64) 76 (80.85) Intern 22 (21.78) 22 (21.78) 57 (56.44) Medical school attended King Faisal University 39 (10.51) 61 (16.44) 271 (73.05) 0.00 Imam University 33 (31.43) 21 (20) 51 (48.57) Marital Status Single 49 (12.66) 62 (16.02) 276 (71.32) 0.00 Married 23 (25.84) 20 (22.47) 46 (51.68) Monthly Income (SAR) 150001 4 (11.11) 6 (16.67) 26 (72.22) Grade Point Average < 1.5 9 (75.00) 0 (0.00) 3 (25.00) 1.51–2.50 3 (15.00) 5 (25.00) 12 (60.00) 0.00 2.51–3.50 16 (17.02) 18 (19.15) 60 (63.83) 3.51–4.50 23 (18.55) 27 (21.77) 74 (59.68) 4.51-5.00 21 (9.29) 32 (14.16) 173 (76.55) Opportunities More Less Not sure N (%) N (%) N (%) Gender Male 44 (27.67) 36 (22.64) 79 (49.68) 0.02 Female 129 (40.69) 61 (19.24) 127 (40.06) Academic Year Preparatory year 5 (33.33) 2 (13.33) 8 (53.33) 0.04 Ist year 14 (37.84) 4(10.81) 19 (51.35) 2nd year 20 (28.98) 13 (18.84) 36 (52.17) 3rd year 25 (29.76) 17 (20.24) 42 (50) 4th year 27 (35.53) 17 (22.37) 32 (42.10) 5th year 30 (31.91) 21 (22.34) 43 (45.74) Intern 52 (51.48) 23 (22.77) 26 (25.74) Medical school attended King Faisal University 120 (32.34) 76 (20.48) 175 (47.17) 0.00 Imam University 53 (50.48) 21 (20) 31 (29.52) Marital Status Single 128 (33.07) 80 (20.67) 179 (46.25) 0.00 Married 45 (50.56) 17 (19.10) 27 (30.34) Monthly Income (SAR) 150001 14 (38.89) 9 (25) 13 (36.11) Grade Point Average < 1.5 10 (83.33) 1 (8.33) 1 (8.33) 0.01 1.51–2.50 9 (45) 3 (15) 8 (40) 2.51–3.50 36 (38.30) 14 (14.90) 44 (46.80) 3.51–4.50 48 (38.71) 25 (20.16) 51 (41.13) 4.51-5.00 70 (30.97) 53 (23.45) 103 (45.57) Attitude of splitting of Obstetrics and Gynecology Agree Don not agree Not sure N (%) N (%) N (%) Gender Male 55 (34.59) 40 (25.16) 64 (40.25) 0.33 Female 127 (40.06) 63 (19.87) 127 (40.06) Age 25 years 41 (56.16) 13 (17.81) 19 (26.03) Academic Year Preparatory year 4 (26.67) 2 (13.33) 9 (60.00) 0.23 Ist year 14 (37.84) 5 (13.51) 18 (48.65) 2nd year 25 (36.23) 16 (23.19) 28 (40.58) 3rd year 30 (35.71) 18 (21.43) 36 (42.86) 4th year 28 (36.84) 18 (23.68) 30 (39.47) 5th year 29 (30.85) 25 (26.60) 40 (42.55) Intern 52 (51.48) 19 (18.81) 30 (29.70) Medical school attended King Faisal University 122 (32.88) 86 (23.18) 163 (43.93) 0.00 Imam University 60 (57.14) 17 (16.19) 28 (26.67) Marital Status Single 130 (33.59) 91 (23.51) 166 (42.90) 0.00 Married 52 (58.43) 12 (13.48) 25 (28.09) Monthly Income (SAR) 150001 11 (30.55) 10 (27.78) 15 (41.67) Grade Point Average < 1.5 10 (83.33) 1 (8.33) 1 (8.33) 0.00 1.51–2.50 8 (40) 3 (15) 9 (45) 2.51–3.50 33 (35.11) 17 (18.08) 44 (46.81) 3.51–4.50 56 (45.16) 17 (13.71) 51 (41.13) 4.51-5.00 75 (33.19) 65 (28.76) 86 (38.05) Note: p < 0 .05 Regarding marital status, more than half married participants perceived more opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology, while as 46% unmarried students were nor sure about opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology. Almost 60% participants with monthly income of 5001-10000SAR observed more opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology, while as more than half participants whose monthly income falls between 2001–5000 were not sure about the opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology. Nearly 39% students with average grade point average (GPA) found more opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology, whereas, nearly 47% student with GPA between 2.51–3.50 were not sure about the opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology. As shown in Table 2 , approximately 56% of participants who are more than 25 years old agreed with splitting obstetrics and gynecology, while as nearly half of participants below 20years were not sure about the splitting of obstetrics and gynecology. Nearly 57% medical students from Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University agreed with splitting obstetrics and gynecology, while participants from King Faisal University (43.93%) were not sure in splitting obstetrics and gynecology. With regard to the marital status, approximately 58% married participants agreed with splitting obstetrics and gynecology. Nearly 43% unmarried students were not sure with splitting obstetrics and gynecology. In terms of monthly income, 56% participants with monthly income between 5001-10000SAR were agreed with splitting obstetrics and gynecology, while as more than 50% participants whose monthly income falls between 2001–5000 SAR were not sure about the splitting obstetrics and gynecology. Nearly 45% students with average grade point average (GPA) were agreed with splitting obstetrics and gynecology whereas, nearly 47% student with GPA between 2.51–3.50 were not sure about the splitting obstetrics and gynecology. Table 3 shows attracting and discouraging factors of the obstetrics and gynecology among male and female students. Results clearly indicates that female medical students reported that rotation through OB/GYNE during medical school ( 50.16%), presence of a role model in OB/GYNE specialty ( 40.69%), faculty interaction ( 61.20%), faculty encouragement ( 53.00%), patients’ desire for a female physician ( 64.04%), cultural expectations ( 50.16%), intellectual content of OBGYN ( 48.90%), and spouse/family opinion ( 44.80%) were attracting factors to the obstetrics and gynecology specialty. On the other hand, level of stress ( 40.06%) and night duties ( 39.12%) were discouraging factors among female students towards obstetrics and gynecology specialty. The main factors attracting male medical students to the obstetrics and gynecology specialty were taking care of a healthy population ( 59.12%), and surgical opportunities ( 45.28%). Patients’ desire for a female physician ( 52.83%), cultural expectations ( 54.72%), spouse/family opinion ( 49.06%), and affect family life/ family considerations ( 41.51%) were discouraging factors in choosing obstetrics and gynecology as a future careers for male students. Table 3 Attracting and Discouraging factors of the Obstetrics and Gynecology among Medical students Attracted Discouraged Neutral P value Factors N (%) N (%) N (%) Rotation through OBGYN during medical school Gender Male 57 (35.85) 39 (24.53) 63 (39.62) 0.00 Female 159 (50.16) 50 (15.77) 108 (34.07) Presence of a role model in OBGYN specialty Gender Male 49 (30.82) 40 (25.16) 70 (44.02) 0.04 Female 129 (40.69) 62 (19.56) 126 (39.75) Faculty interaction Gender Male 61 (38.36) 27 (16.98) 71 (44.65) 0.00 Female 194 (61.20) 28 (8.83) 95 (29.97) Faculty encouragement Gender Male 67 (42.14) 20 (12.58) 72 (45.28) 0.05 Female 168 (53.00) 25 (7.89) 124 (39.11) Previous interaction with OBGYN residents Gender Male 73 (45.91) 19 (11.95) 67 (42.14) 0.28 Female 170 (53.63) 31 (9.78) 116 (36.59) Taking care of a healthy population Gender Male 94 (59.12) 15 (9.44) 50 (31.44) 0.03 Female 182 (57.41) 18 (5.68) 117 (36.91) Patients’ desire for a female physician Gender Male 30 (18.87) 84 (52.83) 45 (28.30) 0.00 Female 203 (64.04) 20 (6.31) 94 (29.65) Cultural expectations Gender Male 23 (14.46) 87 (54.72) 49 (30.82) 0.00 Female 159 (50.16) 44 (13.88) 114 (35.96) Surgical opportunities Gender Male 72 (45.28) 23 (14.46) 64 (40.25) 0.04 Female 140 (44.16) 57 (17.98) 120 (37.88) Hands-on procedures Gender Male 68 (42.77) 22 (13.84) 69 (43.39) 0.18 Female 155 (48.90) 52 (16.40) 110 (34.70) Intellectual content of OBGYN Gender Male 56 (35.22) 30 (18.87) 73 (45.91) 0.00 Female 155 (48.90) 33 (10.41) 129 (40.69) Length of residency Gender Male 44 (27.67) 27 (16.98) 88 (55.35) 0.45 Female 100 (31.55) 61 (19.24) 156 (49.21) Time demands Gender Male 38 (23.90) 41 (25.79) 80 (50.31) 0.22 Female 92 (29.02) 92 (29.02) 133 (41.96) Level of stress Gender Male 42 (26.41) 46 (28.93) 71 (44.65) 0.02 Female 85 (26.81) 127 (40.06) 105 (33.12) Night duties Gender Male 40 (25.16) 50 (31.45) 69 (43.39) 0.04 Female 83 (26.18) 124 (39.12) 110 (34.70) Income prospects/ financial opportunities Gender Male 50 (31.45) 24 (15.09) 85 (53.46) 0.23 Female 125 (39.43) 40 (12.62) 152 (47.95) Spouse/family opinion Gender Male 21 (13.21) 78 (49.06) 60 (37.73) 0.00 Female 142 (44.80) 55 (17.35) 120 (37.85) Affect family life/ family considerations Gender Male 29 (18.24) 66 (41.51) 64 (40.25) 0.00 Female 119 (37.53) 69 (21.77) 129 (40.70) Note : p < 0.05 Discussion Balance distribution of medical students of both genders among different specialties is important to ensure good healthcare. Obstetrics and gynecology is one of the specialties that need to address the barriers of unbalanced recruitment. Equal gender distribution is highly encouraged to maintain the balance in this specialty. For this reason, addressing gender-specific factors that may attract or distract medical students to pursue OB/GYNE as a future career will help to diverse the scope to such factors, which can ultimately play an important role in encouraging/engaging students of both genders. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the career intentions, opportunities, attitudes, and attracting/discouraging factors of medical students towards obstetrics and gynecology specialty. Career Intention of medical students toward Obstetrics and Gynecology The result of the study shows that approximately 16% of the respondents chose obstetrics and gynecology as their first career choice, which is higher than the previous studies showing a range from 3.5–8.8% [ 4,5,8,9]. However, around 17% of the participants in our study had considered the specialty as a second choice, which is similar to a study conducted in Jazan, Saudi Arabia [ 4 ]. Historically, there has been a noticeable decline in the preference for obstetrics and gynecology as the first choice among UK medical graduates from 1974 to 2002. Specifically, the percentage of individuals selecting this field dropped significantly from 4.2% in 1996 to just 2.2% in 1999, which slightly increased in 2002 to be 2.8% [ 10 ]. According to results of the researches conducted by Ismail and Kevelighan in 2014 and 2020, there has been a consistent or slightly declining trend on pursuing a career in OB/GYNE among graduate entry medical students. The percentages associated with this trend were approximately 4% and 3.9% in the respective studies [ 5 , 11 ]. However, Abu-Rafea et al., conducted a study on medical students in central Saudi Arabia, which showed that only 9.7% of the participants considered choosing the specialty as their first choice and proposed many solutions for improving this percentage [ 3 ]. This significant increase in the percentage of students choosing the specialty is considered a positive indicator and a first step in opposing the declining trend, however, this increase must be sustained to meet the specialty requirement of medical staff. Our analysis also showed gender difference in choosing OB/GYNE as their career. As expected female are more interested in OB/GYNE compared to males, which is echoed with the results of previous studies [ 2 , 12 – 19 ]. There could be multiple documented factors affecting males to be less attracted to this specialty, including, perceptions that females are dominating the specialty field. [20] the patient would prefer a female gynecologist to treat them [ 21 ], male students' OB/GYNE clinical rotation was less enjoyable than that of female students because they were not given as much opportunity to practice because of privacy concerns. For example, male students were not given as many opportunities to perform gynecological examinations, particularly pelvic examinations, as compared to female students [ 22 , 23 ]. Patients and clinical teams predominately composed of females shows unfavorable gender bias throughout the OB/GYNE clerkship [ 24 ]. Moreover, the challenge that male have not just in getting employed in OB/GYNE but also in rising to leadership positions within the organization [ 25 ]. All these factors might affect negatively the male students' choice to pursue a career in OB/GYNE and contribute to the declining trend in males specifically, which was demonstrated by previous researches that the number of males practicing OB/GYNE decreased from 6.4 to 2.1% between 1990 and 2003 [ 26 ]. Therefore, attracting males to OB/GYNE is important since physicians working at this field has the power to alter the delivery of healthcare, but this also going to get harder and harder to find the right number of candidates only from the female side of the application pool. Surprisingly, the academic year was significantly affecting the students' interest in OB/GYNE. Approximately 81% of the 5th-year medical students were not interested in this specialty. Students of the 5th year have undertaken their clerkship in OB/GYNE, which might contribute to their low interest since students should have interacted with residents and specialists from the specialty. The residents' attitude toward medical students was not considered as a recruitment factor as they were create an environment as threatening [ 16 ]. Moreover, students in their 5th year would also have more insight into the lifestyle, which was shown to be one of the most inhibiting factors for students' interest in OB/GYNE [ 27 , 28 ]. Opportunities of medical students toward Obstetrics and Gynecology The importance of awareness regarding opportunities for specialization and training has a significant impact on graduate medical students [ 29 ]. About half of the respondent in our study expressed more opportunities for obstetrics and gynecology training, which correlate to other study conducted in Nottingham University [ 30 ]. The results of the study indicated that female students felt more opportunity in the fields of gynecology and obstetrics than males. These results are similar to the previous findings [ 31 ]. One potential factor is the increasing representation of females in the medical profession, which may have created a more supportive and inclusive environment for female students pursuing careers in OB/GYNE. Additionally, societal stereotypes and gender norms may play a role, as historically, women have been associated with reproductive health and therefore may feel more encouraged and empowered in these fields. Furthermore, the presence of female role models and mentors in OB/GYNE could contribute to the perception of greater opportunity for female students. It is important to note that these factors are not exhaustive and that further research is needed to fully understand the complex dynamics influencing students' perceptions of opportunity in OB/GYNE. Multiple factors can affect males about opportunities in OB/GYN, including cultural expectations and family opinion, which play a major role [ 8 ]. Our study findings demonstrate that intern students expressed more opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology compared to other students. This disparity can be attributed to several reasons. Firstly, intern students typically have a higher level of clinical exposure during their rotations, allowing them to actively participate in a wider range of OB/GYNE procedures and patient care. This increased hands-on experience enables them to develop essential skills and competencies specific to the field. Secondly, intern students are often assigned greater responsibility in OB/GYNE settings, which grants them opportunities to independently manage cases, make clinical decisions, and collaborate with senior physicians. As expected, our findings showed that married participants had more opportunities for training in obstetrics and gynecology than unmarried participants. Dar-Odeh et al. found statistically significant disparities between genders in terms of marital status when choosing a surgical specialty [ 32 ]. This suggests that married participants may have had more opportunities for training in surgical specialties compared to unmarried participants. Additionally, another study indicated that the relationship between marital status and specialty training varied for females, while personality preference and work achievement were significant factors for males. This implies that the influence of marital status on specialty training may differ depending on gender [ 33 ]. For females, factors such as personal interests, preferences, and individual achievements may have played a more significant role in specialty selection compared to marital status. On the other hand, for males, personality preferences and work achievements may have been more influential in determining their choice of specialty. These findings suggest that while marital status can be a factor impacting training opportunities, its significance may vary between genders and be influenced by other factors such as personal interests, achievements, and preferences. This highlights the complex nature of specialty selection and the multiple factors that individuals consider when pursuing specific medical fields. It is worth noting that further research is necessary to fully understand the relationships between marital status, gender, and specialty training opportunities. Attitude of splitting of Obstetrics and Gynecology among the medical students Interestingly, more than half of the older participants (> 25 years) agreed with splitting obstetrics from gynecology with a significant association identified among them. This suggests that older students, who have experienced rotations in different specialties, recognize the importance of splitting as new subspecialties arise in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, promoting specialized healthcare. The results of our study aligns with another study, where the majority did not agree on splitting [ 4 ]. There is an increasing trend in favor of splitting both specialties among trainees. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists survey indicated a rise in support for splitting from 15% in 1995 to 24% in 1997, further increasing to 34% in 2002 [ 34 ]. In the Yorkshire Training Programme 2006, this support reached 70% [ 35 ]. Another report revealed that 55% of specialists were in favor of splitting, although no significant relationship was found [ 36 ]. Furthermore, many researchers believed that splitting may improve health outcomes and increase the number of sub-specialists. Currently, more than 70% of OB/GYNE specialists work as generalists, with an increasing trend towards focusing on either obstetrics or gynecology [ 37 ]. By splitting the specialties, healthcare professionals can concentrate their expertise on their respective areas, delivering better health services and promoting the development of subspecialties [ 36 ]. Furthermore, there is evidence suggesting a need to address trainee concerns to retain talent within the specialty. According to Irene Gafson, around a quarter of trainees considered leaving the specialty [ 38 ]. Splitting the specialty could provide a more tailored career path, potentially increasing job satisfaction and reducing the percentage of trainees considering leaving. A laborist approach has been implemented in a few developed nations in an effort to combat this attrition [ 39 ]. Attracting and Discouraging factors Multiple significant factors were observed that predominantly attracting medical students towards OB/GYNE as their specialty. Our results demonstrated female participants reported that rotation through OB/GYNE during medical school, faculty interaction, faculty encouragement/motivation, presence of a role model in OB/GYNE specialty, patients’ desire for a female physician, and intellectual content of OB/GYNE were found significant attractive factors. Regarding the rotation during OB/GYNE, faculty interaction, and faculty encouragement/motivation, more than 50% of female participants reported more attracted towards OB/GYNE compare to their male counterparts, as males showed less interest to the specialty through these factors. Multiple studies observed males to be less experienced in terms of practical skills, along with low satisfaction of their own practical experience, and due to gender [ 24 , 34 , 40 ]. It is essential to ensure the competency of male medical students' gynecological practical skills. In fact, good communication skills and empathy are found to be fundamental in these practical skills more than gender[ 41 ]. Moreover, the disparity in these practical experiences cannot be attributed to patients' inherent preference for female examiners, as satisfaction with the examination does not exhibit any correlation with the gender of the examiner [ 42 ]. In contrast, the available evidence suggests that supervisors serve as a formidable impediment to the acquisition of skills in the gynecological examination [ 43 ]. They possess the ability to actively prohibit male students from participating or passively exclude them, thereby hindering their inclusion in the learning process [ 43 ]. This study found that both male and female medical students were more likely to consider a career in Obstetrics and Gynecology when they received support and encouragement from faculty members. Specifically, female students were particularly influenced by this interaction. These findings highlight the influence of teaching faculty on both genders during rotations through OB/GYNE and during different activities in medical school in developing or sustaining the interest of medical students to pursue OB/GYNE as a future career. Similar findings were observed in other studies, reflecting the common occurrence of such factors [ 3 , 44 ]. Maintaining these attracting factors by concentrating on encouraging teaching faculty to improve their skills in communication with students and to equally interact with medical students of both genders would be a remarkable support in enforcing medical student career pursuit OB/GYNE. Moreover, equal opportunities in different activities should decrease the drawback of females compared to males, and expanding exposure will likely be of great assist. Our results indicated that the presence of a role model in OB/GYNE specialty is found to be a significant attractive factor for females more than males. During clerkship, students interact with specialists, residents, nurses, and midwives. This interaction can play an important role in influencing the decision of students to choose OB/GYNE as a future career. Chang et al., (2010), observed the professional behavior of residents toward students, providing the opportunity for students to be a part of the team, and offering the chance to gain the practical experience of delivery and labor and, to a minimal extent, with speculum examination was associated with an increase in the interest, and positively influenced the decision to pursue a career in OB/GYNE [ 24 ]. Our results also shows that males were specifically attracted to the specialty through the surgical opportunities in the field, these results are consistent with other studies [ 8 , 45 ]. This consistency of the result confirms the influence of surgical opportunities in male medical students toward choosing OB/GYNE as a future career. Moreover, hands-on opportunities can positively influence the decision to choose the specialty [ 30 ]. Medical schools should make an effort to maintain the traditional aspect of hands-on experience that should commonly linked to undergraduate OB/GYNE curriculum. This is because students frequently consider hands-on experience as a crucial factor in developing their interest and passion in the field [ 46 ]. Considering these statements, it is vital to encourage male medical students by teaching faculty and residents to perform physical examinations under supervision. Also, engagement of students through a variety of practical activities, surgical procedures, early in the course, would improve male medical students understanding of the specialty, and development of clinical judgment and professional interest. Adkins et al, concluded that events that offer early exposure to surgical settings, such as OR essentials, present chances to enhance the confidence of medical students in the operating room. This, in turn, is expected to facilitate the recruitment of aspiring surgeons in the future [ 47 ]. On the contrary, females were more attracted by the intellectual content of OB/GYNE, consistent with previous studies [ 8 , 20 ]. Similarly, the significance found in a study conducted in central of Saudi Arabia can confirm the appeal of the specialty by its intellectual content [ 3 ]. The most significant factors distracting males was patients’ desire for a female physician, cultural expectations, spouse/family opinion, affect family life/ family considerations. On the other hand, the majority of the females consider these factors to be attracting to the specialty. The existing literature certainly indicates the presence of pre-established beliefs about the specialty, and their effect on choosing a career in OB/GYNE [ 13 , 20 , 48 , 49 ]. A misconception exists among male medical students and a significant number of faculty members regarding the preference of female patients for female obstetricians and gynecologists. Although certain demographic groups within the female population may indeed exhibit a strong inclination towards either a male or female physician in this field, the majority of women do not hold a specific preference and instead prioritize establishing a meaningful rapport with their physician [ 45 , 50 ]. Similarities between this study and the aforementioned studies can indicate the possibility of shared cultural beliefs about the specialty. This emphasizes the vitality to correct these misconceptions and falsely held beliefs about the specialty. Thus, improving growth rate in recruitment of males. On the other hand, level of stress and night duties were the most discouraging factors for female medical students toward the specialty. Lifestyle factors can influence medical students’ career decisions, for this particular reason, it is important to consider these factors cautiously. Newton et al. reported students' perception of different specialties relating to lifestyle attractiveness, OB/GYNE was reported by students to be lifestyle unfriendly [ 29 ]. This study explored the interest and perceived opportunities of medical students to the specialty, along with addressing different factors that might be linked to this perception. While this study included medical students from all years, it is important to acknowledge several limitations. This study only included medical students from public schools, excluding students from private institutions. Additionally, the present study focused on two medical schools in the eastern region, generalizing to all Saudi Arabia should be discussed carefully. Moreover, the gender disparity among respondents, with more female participants than males, could introduce a bias in the results. Another limitation is the reliance on self-reported questionnaire data, which is susceptible to biases such as social desirability bias. Participants may have provided responses they believed to be socially acceptable or in line with expected norms, rather than accurately expressing their genuine views. Lastly, the use of structured advantages may restrict the exploration of other potential factors, and there is a possibility of response bias affecting the outcomes. Conclusion This study confirms the gender-specific factors identified by previous studies. Efforts should be made to concentrate on the attracting factors of both genders to increase recruitment to the specialty. Moreover, addressing fear and stress upon male students by cultural and familial considerations would help subsequently to find a better solutions. Furthermore, increasing awareness of medical student, correcting misconceptions, and addressing problems of distracting factors is likely to alleviate the low rate of recruitment to the specialty. Declarations Institutional Review Board Statement: This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Ethics Committee of Deanship of Scientific Research, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia. Data Sharing Statement: The data that support our findings can be found through directly asking the corresponding author. Informed Consent Statement: Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Author Contributions: All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported whether that is in conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article, gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to the article has been submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work. Funding Statement: This study was supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research, King Faisal University, Alhasa, Saudi Arabia (Grant No. KFU251350). Disclosure: The authors declare no conflicts of interest in this work. References Tsai CH, Hsieh CH, Huang JP, Lin PL, Kuo TC, Huang MC (2021) A survey of career-decision factors for obstetrics and gynecology residents in Taiwan. 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JAMA 272(9):661–668. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1994.03520090049031 Jacoby I, Meyer GS, Haffner W, Cheng EY, Potter AL, Pearse WH (1998) Modeling the future workforce of obstetrics and gynecology. Obstet Gynecol 92(3):450–456. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0029-7844(98)00185-9 Makam A, Mallappa Saroja CS, Edwards G (2010) Do women seeking care from obstetrician-gynaecologists prefer to see a female or a male doctor? Arch Gynecol Obstet 281(3):443–447. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-009-1199-5 Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7418553","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":518443131,"identity":"b71ba920-b485-4e86-89ea-4c610d3b3862","order_by":0,"name":"Ayoob 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10:25:33","extension":"html","order_by":11,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":208290,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"earlyproof.html","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7418553/v1/6fa8eb92839b4ce38b9f87da.html"},{"id":99797417,"identity":"8a4f4b71-3b26-4ad5-9726-ce1792e48b8c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-08 13:45:47","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1699737,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7418553/v1/438ed7a4-dc0b-47c6-8363-4a5782e25a1c.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Factors influencing Medical Students to Pursue Career in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Saudi Arabia","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eOver the past three decades, obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) residents has been reduced [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e] and influencing the medical workforce for a balanced national healthcare system requires knowledge and awareness of how medical students select postgraduate specialties [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. This information is particularly significant in some parts of the world where students can select their specialization without taking a ranking exam, as is necessary in France and Belgium [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. Obstetrics and gynecology is one of the main medical specialization that medical graduates might pursue as a future career, but it is also one of the least appealing specialties to medical students [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. Saudi Commission for Health Specialties reported a growing disparity between the number of applications for obstetrics and gynecology and the number of open posts in the specialty [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. With the declining number of medical graduates expressing interest in the specialty, several authors contend that the specialty is experiencing a recruitment crisis [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. According to previous findings, gender consideration, lifestyle, money, stress level, litigation, and interest in the field were a key determinants of applicants for OB/GYN residency, yet several countries had differing ratios of the importance of various elements [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. Therefore, there is a concerning disparity between the number of applicants and the rising demand for obstetricians and gynecologists. This raises major questions about the kind of care that overworked and weary doctors in the field are able to offer, which could result in higher incidence of problems, patient complaints and discontent, and potential medical legal actions [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSeveral studies have been conducted nationally and internationally that explored the influencing factors choosing OB/GYNE as a career of choice among medical students. A recent study conducted in Taiwan found that the top influencing factor was being interested in clinical expertise with the second factor was having a great sense of accomplishment in saving people [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. Another study reported that female gender was the only significant factor associated with choosing OB/GYNE specialty as a career, and male participants reported barriers preventing them to choose this specialty [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e]. A research in Switzerland which determine motivating factors for choosing a specialty career in obstetrics and gynecology over surgery or general practice, the results indicated that experiential factors such as technical aspects, experiences as a student, skills/interest/affinity, level of enthusiasm and passion and gender to be particular influencing factors to choose OB/GYNE [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. In Saudi Arabia context, few studies have been reported. Abu-Rafea et al., study found that only 9.7% of the students choose OB/GYNE as a top 3 choice for a future career, and the rotations of students through OB/GYNE was the most influential factor [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. Other factors were also found to attract students such as faculty interaction and performing deliveries and procedures [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. A study conducted in Jazan, south of Saudi Arabia, reported that 8.8% of medical students put OB/GYNE as their first choice and 17.6% as their second choice, with being female as a significant associated influencer [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. Another study reported Saudi cultural acceptance of the female gender, the opportunity to observe procedures, and family pressures were the supporting ideas to continue OB/GYNE as a career [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e]. To the best of our knowledge, no study has been conducted to identify the influencing factors to choose obstetrics and gynecology as a career in the Eastern Governorate of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the aim of the study was to ascertain the perception of medical students about obstetrics and gynecology specialty and identify the factors influencing medical students in choosing obstetrics and gynecology as a future career.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStudy design\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003eA descriptive, cross-sectional based study was performed particularly medical students studying in public universities of Eastern governorate of Saudi Arabia. Data was collected between April 2025 to June 2025. This study was conducted in accordance with Helsinki Declaration for the human research and Ethical clearance was obtained from Deanship of Scientific Research, King Faisal University, (KFU-REC-2023-ETHICS869). All study participants were informed about the goal and aim of the research, and the survey was proceeded after getting signed consent from the participants\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStudy population\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe medical students enrolled in Universities located in eastern Governorate of Saudi Arabia were included in our research. Approximately 3100 medical students were enrolled in these universities. Out of 3100 students, 1800 students were from King Faisal University and 1300 medical students were enrolled from Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. In Saudi Arabia, the six-year bachelor of medicine and surgery program consists of three preclinical years and four clinical years. The College of Medicine uses an innovative teaching style in order to fulfill its vision and goal of educating future physicians. The inclusion criteria were Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students, age\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;18 years and Saudi citizens. The study excluded those\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;18 years, non-Saudi, private colleges student, non-medical students, unwillingness to fill the questionnaire, and those who did not consent to participate.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSample size\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe participants were recruited using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. The sample size for this study was calculated using Slovin\u0026rsquo;s formula [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e] with a confidence interval of 95% and margin of error of 0.05. A total of 400 students were selected to participate in this study and we increased the sample upto 500 subjects. Out of five hundred sample 476 participants completed the survey with a 95.20% response rate. Missing data from 24 participants were not included in the study.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStudy tools\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn adapted English version of two previously designed questionnaires were used to fulfill the study aim [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. There were three sections in the questionnaire consists of 30 items. Five items for career intention, opportunities and attitude toward Obstetrics and Gynecology 18 items for factors related to attraction and discourage of the Obstetrics and Gynecology, and few question for demographic information.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCareer Intention\u003c/b\u003e: Opportunities and Attitude toward Obstetrics and Gynecology: The first sections consists of five items, which includes the intention of choosing the obstetrics and gynecology as a future career. Those answered \u0026lsquo;not interested\u0026rsquo; in career intentions were further asked about their interests, participants view on the training in the specialty, and the impact of splitting obstetrics and gynecology on choosing the specialty.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttracting and discouraging factors\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo explore factors for liking and disliking towards OB/GYNE, 18 questions were used which were designed by previous studies [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. Respondents were asked to rate each statement on a 3-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (discouraged), 2 (neutral), 3 (attracted). The total score was derived by adding the scores of items belonging to different areas, and the total scores were obtained for each domain.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDemographical data: The demographic information including age, gender, academic year, GPA and medical school attended was collected using the questionnaire.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData collection\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003eBefore data collection, a pilot study was conducted with 30 students to confirm the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. A trained medical students were recruited from both of the universities to reach out the targeted sample. Each batch of students in the college has its own social network group through which it shares information. We contacted the administrator of the social network (WhatsApp) group to inform the batch-mates about the study, and their email addresses were then obtained. Before data collection, each student was contacted via email to determine his or her willingness to participate in the study. After obtaining written consent, the students were asked to complete an electronic survey (Google Form).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStatistical analysis\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfter verifying the quality and consistency of the data, they were coded and exported to the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS, version 27) for analysis. To ensure a consistent number of respondents across the study and all analyses, only participants who provided complete relevant information were included. Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages, and associations between them were assessed using the Chi-square test. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe present study invited 500 students studying in different medical colleges of Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. A total of 476 students (Male\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;159; Females\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;317) finally completed the questionnaire. The other 24 participants were reluctant to respond all items of the questionnaire were excluded. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e shows that majority of 71.4% participants were between 21\u0026ndash;24 years old. Most of the participants 371 (77.9%) were enrolled in King Faisal University and 105 (22.1%) participants were enrolled in Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. The percentage of single and married participants were 81.3 and 18.7 respectively. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e presents the respondents interests in obstetrics and gynecology as a future career among medical students. Out of 476 students, 154 (32.35%) were interested in obstetrics and gynecology. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e clearly shows males (87.42%) were less interested in obstetrics and gynecology as a future career than females participants (57.73%). Regarding the choices, 61 (19.24%) female participants expressed their first choice in obstetrics and gynecology, whereas only 6.92% male participants expressed their first choice in this specialty.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn terms of age, 21 (28.77%) of participants more than 25 years old showed interest as a first choice in obstetrics and gynecology, while as 71.17% participants whose age between 20\u0026ndash;25 years were not interested in obstetrics and gynecology as future career. For academic year, approximately 22% intern students expressed the first choice in obstetrics and gynecology whereas nearly 81% 5th year students showed poor interest in this specialty. Students from Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University expressed obstetrics and gynecology as a first choice (31.43%), whereas participants from King Faisal University (73.05%) reported poor interest in obstetrics and gynecology. In regard to the marital status, 23 (25.84%) married participants showed interest in obstetrics and gynecology as a future career while as 276 (71.32%) unmarried students showed no interest in obstetrics and gynecology. Nearly 71% participants with low monthly income observed no interest in obstetrics and gynecology, while as approximately 30% participants whose monthly income falls between 5001-10000SAR preferred obstetrics and gynecology as their first choice. Nearly 77% students with high grade point average (GPA) did not preferred obstetrics and gynecology as their future specialty whereas student with average GPA expressed obstetrics and gynecology as their first preference.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;1\u003c/strong\u003e: Demographic characteristics of Study participants\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"No\" id=\"Taba\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" 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colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;20 years\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e63\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21\u0026ndash;24 years\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e340\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e71.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;25 years\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAcademic year\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e1st year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2nd year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3rd year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e69\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4th year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e84\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5th year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6th year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e94\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIntern\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e101\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMedical school attended\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKing Faisal University\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e371\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eImam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e105\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMarital status\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSingle\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e387\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e81.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMarried\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e89\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMonthly income (SAR)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;2000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e243\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2001\u0026ndash;5000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e90\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5001\u0026ndash;10000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10001\u0026ndash;15000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;15001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e36\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGPA\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;1.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.51\u0026ndash;2.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.51\u0026ndash;3.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e94\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.51\u0026ndash;4.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e124\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.51\u0026ndash;5.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e226\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe percentage of perception of opportunities to train in obstetrics and gynecology is shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e. Out of 476 participants, 273 (57.35%) students expressed more opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology. In terms of gender, female participants (40.69%) were reported more opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology as compared to male (27.67%) counterparts. Regarding the age, approximately 56% of participants who are more than 25 years old perceived more opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology, while as half of participants between 20\u0026ndash;25 years were not sure about the opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology. For academic year, nearly 52% intern students expressed more opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology whereas nearly 60% preparatory year students were not sure about the opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology. Half of study sample from Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University reported more opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology, whereas, approximately, 47% participants from King Faisal University were not sure about opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCareer Intention, Opportunities and Attitude of medical students toward Obstetrics and Gynecology based on different demographic variables\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCareer Intention\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFirst Choice\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSecond Choice\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot Interested\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eP value\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eN (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eN (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eN (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11 (6.92)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9 (5.66)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e139 (87.42)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e61 (19.24)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e73 (23.03)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e183 (57.73)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAge\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;20years\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8 (12.70 )\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11 (17.46)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44 (69.84)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20-25years\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43 (12.65)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55 (16.18)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e242 (71.17)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;25 years\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21(28.77)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16 (21.92)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e36 (49.31)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAcademic Year\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePreparatory year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2 (13.33)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4 (26.77)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9 (60.00)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIst year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6 (16.22)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3 (8.11)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28 (75.67)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2nd year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13 (18.84)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9 (13.04)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47 (68.12)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3rd year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14 (16.66)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15 (17.86)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55 (65.48)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4th year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7 (9.21)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19 (25.00)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50 (65.79)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5th year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8 (8.51)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10 (10.64)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e76 (80.85)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIntern\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22 (21.78)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22 (21.78)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e57 (56.44)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMedical school attended\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKing Faisal University\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e39 (10.51)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e61 (16.44)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e271 (73.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eImam University\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33 (31.43)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21 (20)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51 (48.57)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMarital Status\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSingle\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49 (12.66)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62 (16.02)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e276 (71.32)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMarried\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23 (25.84)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20 (22.47)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46 (51.68)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMonthly Income (SAR)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;2000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30 (12.35)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e41 (16.87)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e172 (70.78)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2001\u0026ndash;5000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9 (10)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13 (14.44)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e68 (75.56)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5001\u0026ndash;10000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25 (30.12)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18 (21.69)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40 (48.19)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10001\u0026ndash;15000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4 (16.67)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4 (16.67)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16 (66.67)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;150001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4 (11.11)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6 (16.67)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26 (72.22)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrade Point Average\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;1.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9 (75.00)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0 (0.00)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3 (25.00)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.51\u0026ndash;2.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3 (15.00)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5 (25.00)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12 (60.00)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.51\u0026ndash;3.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16 (17.02)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18 (19.15)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60 (63.83)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.51\u0026ndash;4.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23 (18.55)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27 (21.77)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e74 (59.68)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.51-5.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21 (9.29)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32 (14.16)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e173 (76.55)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOpportunities\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMore\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLess\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNot sure\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eN (%)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eN (%)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eN (%)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44 (27.67)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e36 (22.64)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e79 (49.68)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e129 (40.69)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e61 (19.24)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e127 (40.06)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"7\" rowspan=\"8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAcademic Year\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePreparatory year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5 (33.33)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2 (13.33)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8 (53.33)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIst year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14 (37.84)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4(10.81)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19 (51.35)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2nd year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20 (28.98)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13 (18.84)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e36 (52.17)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3rd year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25 (29.76)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17 (20.24)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42 (50)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4th year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27 (35.53)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17 (22.37)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32 (42.10)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5th year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30 (31.91)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21 (22.34)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43 (45.74)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIntern\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52 (51.48)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23 (22.77)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26 (25.74)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMedical school attended\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKing Faisal University\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e120 (32.34)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e76 (20.48)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e175 (47.17)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eImam University\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e53 (50.48)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21 (20)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31 (29.52)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMarital Status\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSingle\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e128 (33.07)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e80 (20.67)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e179 (46.25)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMarried\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45 (50.56)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17 (19.10)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27 (30.34)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMonthly Income (SAR)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;2000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e73 (30.04)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49 (20.16)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e121 (49.79)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2001\u0026ndash;5000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23 (25.56)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20 (22.22)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47 (52.22)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5001\u0026ndash;10000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49 (59.04)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12 (14.46)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22 (26.50)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10001\u0026ndash;15000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14 (58.33)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7 (29.17)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3 (12.5)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;150001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14 (38.89)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9 (25)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13 (36.11)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrade Point Average\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;1.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10 (83.33)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1 (8.33)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1 (8.33)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.51\u0026ndash;2.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9 (45)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3 (15)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8 (40)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.51\u0026ndash;3.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e36 (38.30)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14 (14.90)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44 (46.80)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.51\u0026ndash;4.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e48 (38.71)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25 (20.16)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51 (41.13)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.51-5.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e70 (30.97)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e53 (23.45)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e103 (45.57)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAttitude of splitting of Obstetrics and Gynecology\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAgree\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDon not agree\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot sure\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eN (%)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eN (%)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eN (%)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55 (34.59)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40 (25.16)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e64 (40.25)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e127 (40.06)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e63 (19.87)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e127 (40.06)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAge\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;20years\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21 (33.33)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11 (17.46)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31 (49.21)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20-25years\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e120 (35.29)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e79 (23.23)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e141 (41.47)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;25 years\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e41 (56.16)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13 (17.81)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19 (26.03)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"7\" rowspan=\"8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAcademic Year\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePreparatory year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4 (26.67)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2 (13.33)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9 (60.00)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIst year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14 (37.84)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5 (13.51)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18 (48.65)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2nd year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25 (36.23)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16 (23.19)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28 (40.58)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3rd year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30 (35.71)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18 (21.43)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e36 (42.86)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4th year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28 (36.84)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18 (23.68)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30 (39.47)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5th year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29 (30.85)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25 (26.60)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40 (42.55)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIntern\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52 (51.48)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19 (18.81)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30 (29.70)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMedical school attended\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKing Faisal University\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e122 (32.88)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e86 (23.18)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e163 (43.93)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eImam University\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60 (57.14)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17 (16.19)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28 (26.67)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMarital Status\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSingle\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e130 (33.59)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e91 (23.51)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e166 (42.90)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMarried\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52 (58.43)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12 (13.48)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25 (28.09)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMonthly Income (SAR)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;2000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e83 (34.16)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e59 (24.28)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e101 (41.56)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2001\u0026ndash;5000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31 (34.44)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13 (14.44)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46 (51.11)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5001\u0026ndash;10000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46 (55.42)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18 (21.69)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19 (22.89)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10001\u0026ndash;15000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11 (45.83)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3 (12.5)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10 (41.67)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;150001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11 (30.55)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10 (27.78)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15 (41.67)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrade Point Average\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;1.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10 (83.33)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1 (8.33)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1 (8.33)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.51\u0026ndash;2.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8 (40)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3 (15)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9 (45)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.51\u0026ndash;3.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33 (35.11)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17 (18.08)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44 (46.81)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.51\u0026ndash;4.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e56 (45.16)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17 (13.71)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51 (41.13)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.51-5.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75 (33.19)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e65 (28.76)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e86 (38.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNote: \u003cem\u003ep \u0026lt; 0\u003c/em\u003e.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegarding marital status, more than half married participants perceived more opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology, while as 46% unmarried students were nor sure about opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology. Almost 60% participants with monthly income of 5001-10000SAR observed more opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology, while as more than half participants whose monthly income falls between 2001\u0026ndash;5000 were not sure about the opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology. Nearly 39% students with average grade point average (GPA) found more opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology, whereas, nearly 47% student with GPA between 2.51\u0026ndash;3.50 were not sure about the opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e, approximately 56% of participants who are more than 25 years old agreed with splitting obstetrics and gynecology, while as nearly half of participants below 20years were not sure about the splitting of obstetrics and gynecology. Nearly 57% medical students from Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University agreed with splitting obstetrics and gynecology, while participants from King Faisal University (43.93%) were not sure in splitting obstetrics and gynecology. With regard to the marital status, approximately 58% married participants agreed with splitting obstetrics and gynecology. Nearly 43% unmarried students were not sure with splitting obstetrics and gynecology.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn terms of monthly income, 56% participants with monthly income between 5001-10000SAR were agreed with splitting obstetrics and gynecology, while as more than 50% participants whose monthly income falls between 2001\u0026ndash;5000 SAR were not sure about the splitting obstetrics and gynecology. Nearly 45% students with average grade point average (GPA) were agreed with splitting obstetrics and gynecology whereas, nearly 47% student with GPA between 2.51\u0026ndash;3.50 were not sure about the splitting obstetrics and gynecology.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e shows attracting and discouraging factors of the obstetrics and gynecology among male and female students. Results clearly indicates that female medical students reported that rotation through OB/GYNE during medical school \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003e50.16%), presence of a role model in OB/GYNE specialty \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003e40.69%), faculty interaction \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003e61.20%), faculty encouragement \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003e53.00%), patients\u0026rsquo; desire for a female physician \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003e64.04%), cultural expectations \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003e50.16%), intellectual content of OBGYN \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003e48.90%), and spouse/family opinion \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003e44.80%) were attracting factors to the obstetrics and gynecology specialty. On the other hand, level of stress \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003e40.06%) and night duties \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003e39.12%) were discouraging factors among female students towards obstetrics and gynecology specialty. The main factors attracting male medical students to the obstetrics and gynecology specialty were taking care of a healthy population \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003e59.12%), and surgical opportunities \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003e45.28%). Patients\u0026rsquo; desire for a female physician \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003e52.83%), cultural expectations \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003e54.72%), spouse/family opinion \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003e49.06%), and affect family life/ family considerations \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003e41.51%) were discouraging factors in choosing obstetrics and gynecology as a future careers for male students.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAttracting and Discouraging factors of the Obstetrics and Gynecology among Medical students\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAttracted\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDiscouraged\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeutral\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eP value\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFactors\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eN (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eN (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eN (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRotation through OBGYN during medical school\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e57 (35.85)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e39 (24.53)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e63 (39.62)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e159 (50.16)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50 (15.77)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e108 (34.07)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePresence of a role model in OBGYN specialty\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49 (30.82)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40 (25.16)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e70 (44.02)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e129 (40.69)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62 (19.56)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e126 (39.75)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFaculty interaction\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e61 (38.36)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27 (16.98)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e71 (44.65)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e194 (61.20)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28 (8.83)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e95 (29.97)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFaculty encouragement\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e67 (42.14)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20 (12.58)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e72 (45.28)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e168 (53.00)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25 (7.89)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e124 (39.11)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrevious interaction with OBGYN residents\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e73 (45.91)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19 (11.95)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e67 (42.14)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e170 (53.63)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31 (9.78)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e116 (36.59)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTaking care of a healthy population\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e94 (59.12)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15 (9.44)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50 (31.44)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e182 (57.41)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18 (5.68)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e117 (36.91)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePatients\u0026rsquo; desire for a female physician\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30 (18.87)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e84 (52.83)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45 (28.30)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e203 (64.04)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20 (6.31)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e94 (29.65)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCultural expectations\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23 (14.46)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e87 (54.72)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49 (30.82)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e159 (50.16)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44 (13.88)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e114 (35.96)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSurgical opportunities\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e72 (45.28)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23 (14.46)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e64 (40.25)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e140 (44.16)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e57 (17.98)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e120 (37.88)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHands-on procedures\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e68 (42.77)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22 (13.84)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e69 (43.39)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e155 (48.90)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52 (16.40)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e110 (34.70)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIntellectual content of OBGYN\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e56 (35.22)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30 (18.87)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e73 (45.91)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e155 (48.90)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33 (10.41)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e129 (40.69)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLength of residency\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44 (27.67)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27 (16.98)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e88 (55.35)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e100 (31.55)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e61 (19.24)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e156 (49.21)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTime demands\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38 (23.90)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e41 (25.79)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e80 (50.31)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e92 (29.02)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e92 (29.02)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e133 (41.96)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLevel of stress\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42 (26.41)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46 (28.93)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e71 (44.65)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e85 (26.81)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e127 (40.06)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e105 (33.12)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNight duties\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40 (25.16)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50 (31.45)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e69 (43.39)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e83 (26.18)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e124 (39.12)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e110 (34.70)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIncome prospects/ financial opportunities\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50 (31.45)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24 (15.09)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e85 (53.46)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e125 (39.43)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40 (12.62)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e152 (47.95)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSpouse/family opinion\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21 (13.21)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e78 (49.06)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60 (37.73)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e142 (44.80)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55 (17.35)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e120 (37.85)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAffect family life/ family considerations\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29 (18.24)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e66 (41.51)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e64 (40.25)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e119 (37.53)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e69 (21.77)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e129 (40.70)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNote\u003c/b\u003e: \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e \u0026lt; 0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eBalance distribution of medical students of both genders among different specialties is important to ensure good healthcare. Obstetrics and gynecology is one of the specialties that need to address the barriers of unbalanced recruitment. Equal gender distribution is highly encouraged to maintain the balance in this specialty. For this reason, addressing gender-specific factors that may attract or distract medical students to pursue OB/GYNE as a future career will help to diverse the scope to such factors, which can ultimately play an important role in encouraging/engaging students of both genders. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the career intentions, opportunities, attitudes, and attracting/discouraging factors of medical students towards obstetrics and gynecology specialty.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCareer Intention of medical students toward Obstetrics and Gynecology\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result of the study shows that approximately 16% of the respondents chose obstetrics and gynecology as their first career choice, which is higher than the previous studies showing a range from 3.5\u0026ndash;8.8% [ 4,5,8,9]. However, around 17% of the participants in our study had considered the specialty as a second choice, which is similar to a study conducted in Jazan, Saudi Arabia [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. Historically, there has been a noticeable decline in the preference for obstetrics and gynecology as the first choice among UK medical graduates from 1974 to 2002. Specifically, the percentage of individuals selecting this field dropped significantly from 4.2% in 1996 to just 2.2% in 1999, which slightly increased in 2002 to be 2.8% [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e]. According to results of the researches conducted by Ismail and Kevelighan in 2014 and 2020, there has been a consistent or slightly declining trend on pursuing a career in OB/GYNE among graduate entry medical students. The percentages associated with this trend were approximately 4% and 3.9% in the respective studies [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e]. However, Abu-Rafea et al., conducted a study on medical students in central Saudi Arabia, which showed that only 9.7% of the participants considered choosing the specialty as their first choice and proposed many solutions for improving this percentage [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. This significant increase in the percentage of students choosing the specialty is considered a positive indicator and a first step in opposing the declining trend, however, this increase must be sustained to meet the specialty requirement of medical staff.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOur analysis also showed gender difference in choosing OB/GYNE as their career. As expected female are more interested in OB/GYNE compared to males, which is echoed with the results of previous studies [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR13 CR14 CR15 CR16 CR17 CR18\" citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e]. There could be multiple documented factors affecting males to be less attracted to this specialty, including, perceptions that females are dominating the specialty field. \u003csup\u003e[20]\u003c/sup\u003e the patient would prefer a female gynecologist to treat them [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e], male students' OB/GYNE clinical rotation was less enjoyable than that of female students because they were not given as much opportunity to practice because of privacy concerns. For example, male students were not given as many opportunities to perform gynecological examinations, particularly pelvic examinations, as compared to female students [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e]. Patients and clinical teams predominately composed of females shows unfavorable gender bias throughout the OB/GYNE clerkship [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e]. Moreover, the challenge that male have not just in getting employed in OB/GYNE but also in rising to leadership positions within the organization [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e]. All these factors might affect negatively the male students' choice to pursue a career in OB/GYNE and contribute to the declining trend in males specifically, which was demonstrated by previous researches that the number of males practicing OB/GYNE decreased from 6.4 to 2.1% between 1990 and 2003 [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e]. Therefore, attracting males to OB/GYNE is important since physicians working at this field has the power to alter the delivery of healthcare, but this also going to get harder and harder to find the right number of candidates only from the female side of the application pool.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSurprisingly, the academic year was significantly affecting the students' interest in OB/GYNE. Approximately 81% of the 5th-year medical students were not interested in this specialty. Students of the 5th year have undertaken their clerkship in OB/GYNE, which might contribute to their low interest since students should have interacted with residents and specialists from the specialty. The residents' attitude toward medical students was not considered as a recruitment factor as they were create an environment as threatening [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e]. Moreover, students in their 5th year would also have more insight into the lifestyle, which was shown to be one of the most inhibiting factors for students' interest in OB/GYNE [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOpportunities of medical students toward Obstetrics and Gynecology\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe importance of awareness regarding opportunities for specialization and training has a significant impact on graduate medical students [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e]. About half of the respondent in our study expressed more opportunities for obstetrics and gynecology training, which correlate to other study conducted in Nottingham University [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e]. The results of the study indicated that female students felt more opportunity in the fields of gynecology and obstetrics than males. These results are similar to the previous findings [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e31\u003c/span\u003e]. One potential factor is the increasing representation of females in the medical profession, which may have created a more supportive and inclusive environment for female students pursuing careers in OB/GYNE. Additionally, societal stereotypes and gender norms may play a role, as historically, women have been associated with reproductive health and therefore may feel more encouraged and empowered in these fields. Furthermore, the presence of female role models and mentors in OB/GYNE could contribute to the perception of greater opportunity for female students. It is important to note that these factors are not exhaustive and that further research is needed to fully understand the complex dynamics influencing students' perceptions of opportunity in OB/GYNE. Multiple factors can affect males about opportunities in OB/GYN, including cultural expectations and family opinion, which play a major role [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. Our study findings demonstrate that intern students expressed more opportunities in obstetrics and gynecology compared to other students. This disparity can be attributed to several reasons. Firstly, intern students typically have a higher level of clinical exposure during their rotations, allowing them to actively participate in a wider range of OB/GYNE procedures and patient care. This increased hands-on experience enables them to develop essential skills and competencies specific to the field. Secondly, intern students are often assigned greater responsibility in OB/GYNE settings, which grants them opportunities to independently manage cases, make clinical decisions, and collaborate with senior physicians.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs expected, our findings showed that married participants had more opportunities for training in obstetrics and gynecology than unmarried participants. Dar-Odeh et al. found statistically significant disparities between genders in terms of marital status when choosing a surgical specialty [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e]. This suggests that married participants may have had more opportunities for training in surgical specialties compared to unmarried participants. Additionally, another study indicated that the relationship between marital status and specialty training varied for females, while personality preference and work achievement were significant factors for males. This implies that the influence of marital status on specialty training may differ depending on gender [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e33\u003c/span\u003e]. For females, factors such as personal interests, preferences, and individual achievements may have played a more significant role in specialty selection compared to marital status. On the other hand, for males, personality preferences and work achievements may have been more influential in determining their choice of specialty. These findings suggest that while marital status can be a factor impacting training opportunities, its significance may vary between genders and be influenced by other factors such as personal interests, achievements, and preferences. This highlights the complex nature of specialty selection and the multiple factors that individuals consider when pursuing specific medical fields. It is worth noting that further research is necessary to fully understand the relationships between marital status, gender, and specialty training opportunities.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAttitude of splitting of Obstetrics and Gynecology among the medical students\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInterestingly, more than half of the older participants (\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;25 years) agreed with splitting obstetrics from gynecology with a significant association identified among them. This suggests that older students, who have experienced rotations in different specialties, recognize the importance of splitting as new subspecialties arise in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, promoting specialized healthcare. The results of our study aligns with another study, where the majority did not agree on splitting [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. There is an increasing trend in favor of splitting both specialties among trainees. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists survey indicated a rise in support for splitting from 15% in 1995 to 24% in 1997, further increasing to 34% in 2002 [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e]. In the Yorkshire Training Programme 2006, this support reached 70% [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e35\u003c/span\u003e]. Another report revealed that 55% of specialists were in favor of splitting, although no significant relationship was found [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e]. Furthermore, many researchers believed that splitting may improve health outcomes and increase the number of sub-specialists. Currently, more than 70% of OB/GYNE specialists work as generalists, with an increasing trend towards focusing on either obstetrics or gynecology [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e37\u003c/span\u003e]. By splitting the specialties, healthcare professionals can concentrate their expertise on their respective areas, delivering better health services and promoting the development of subspecialties [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e]. Furthermore, there is evidence suggesting a need to address trainee concerns to retain talent within the specialty. According to Irene Gafson, around a quarter of trainees considered leaving the specialty [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e38\u003c/span\u003e]. Splitting the specialty could provide a more tailored career path, potentially increasing job satisfaction and reducing the percentage of trainees considering leaving. A laborist approach has been implemented in a few developed nations in an effort to combat this attrition [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e39\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAttracting and Discouraging factors\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMultiple significant factors were observed that predominantly attracting medical students towards OB/GYNE as their specialty. Our results demonstrated female participants reported that rotation through OB/GYNE during medical school, faculty interaction, faculty encouragement/motivation, presence of a role model in OB/GYNE specialty, patients\u0026rsquo; desire for a female physician, and intellectual content of OB/GYNE were found significant attractive factors. Regarding the rotation during OB/GYNE, faculty interaction, and faculty encouragement/motivation, more than 50% of female participants reported more attracted towards OB/GYNE compare to their male counterparts, as males showed less interest to the specialty through these factors. Multiple studies observed males to be less experienced in terms of practical skills, along with low satisfaction of their own practical experience, and due to gender [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e40\u003c/span\u003e]. It is essential to ensure the competency of male medical students' gynecological practical skills. In fact, good communication skills and empathy are found to be fundamental in these practical skills more than gender[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e41\u003c/span\u003e]. Moreover, the disparity in these practical experiences cannot be attributed to patients' inherent preference for female examiners, as satisfaction with the examination does not exhibit any correlation with the gender of the examiner [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e42\u003c/span\u003e]. In contrast, the available evidence suggests that supervisors serve as a formidable impediment to the acquisition of skills in the gynecological examination [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e43\u003c/span\u003e]. They possess the ability to actively prohibit male students from participating or passively exclude them, thereby hindering their inclusion in the learning process [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e43\u003c/span\u003e]. This study found that both male and female medical students were more likely to consider a career in Obstetrics and Gynecology when they received support and encouragement from faculty members. Specifically, female students were particularly influenced by this interaction. These findings highlight the influence of teaching faculty on both genders during rotations through OB/GYNE and during different activities in medical school in developing or sustaining the interest of medical students to pursue OB/GYNE as a future career. Similar findings were observed in other studies, reflecting the common occurrence of such factors [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR44\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e44\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMaintaining these attracting factors by concentrating on encouraging teaching faculty to improve their skills in communication with students and to equally interact with medical students of both genders would be a remarkable support in enforcing medical student career pursuit OB/GYNE. Moreover, equal opportunities in different activities should decrease the drawback of females compared to males, and expanding exposure will likely be of great assist.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOur results indicated that the presence of a role model in OB/GYNE specialty is found to be a significant attractive factor for females more than males. During clerkship, students interact with specialists, residents, nurses, and midwives. This interaction can play an important role in influencing the decision of students to choose OB/GYNE as a future career. Chang et al., (2010), observed the professional behavior of residents toward students, providing the opportunity for students to be a part of the team, and offering the chance to gain the practical experience of delivery and labor and, to a minimal extent, with speculum examination was associated with an increase in the interest, and positively influenced the decision to pursue a career in OB/GYNE [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOur results also shows that males were specifically attracted to the specialty through the surgical opportunities in the field, these results are consistent with other studies [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e45\u003c/span\u003e]. This consistency of the result confirms the influence of surgical opportunities in male medical students toward choosing OB/GYNE as a future career. Moreover, hands-on opportunities can positively influence the decision to choose the specialty [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e]. Medical schools should make an effort to maintain the traditional aspect of hands-on experience that should commonly linked to undergraduate OB/GYNE curriculum. This is because students frequently consider hands-on experience as a crucial factor in developing their interest and passion in the field [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR46\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e46\u003c/span\u003e]. Considering these statements, it is vital to encourage male medical students by teaching faculty and residents to perform physical examinations under supervision. Also, engagement of students through a variety of practical activities, surgical procedures, early in the course, would improve male medical students understanding of the specialty, and development of clinical judgment and professional interest. Adkins et al, concluded that events that offer early exposure to surgical settings, such as OR essentials, present chances to enhance the confidence of medical students in the operating room. This, in turn, is expected to facilitate the recruitment of aspiring surgeons in the future [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR47\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e47\u003c/span\u003e]. On the contrary, females were more attracted by the intellectual content of OB/GYNE, consistent with previous studies [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e]. Similarly, the significance found in a study conducted in central of Saudi Arabia can confirm the appeal of the specialty by its intellectual content [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe most significant factors distracting males was patients\u0026rsquo; desire for a female physician, cultural expectations, spouse/family opinion, affect family life/ family considerations. On the other hand, the majority of the females consider these factors to be attracting to the specialty. The existing literature certainly indicates the presence of pre-established beliefs about the specialty, and their effect on choosing a career in OB/GYNE [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR48\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e48\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR49\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e49\u003c/span\u003e]. A misconception exists among male medical students and a significant number of faculty members regarding the preference of female patients for female obstetricians and gynecologists. Although certain demographic groups within the female population may indeed exhibit a strong inclination towards either a male or female physician in this field, the majority of women do not hold a specific preference and instead prioritize establishing a meaningful rapport with their physician [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e45\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR50\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e50\u003c/span\u003e]. Similarities between this study and the aforementioned studies can indicate the possibility of shared cultural beliefs about the specialty. This emphasizes the vitality to correct these misconceptions and falsely held beliefs about the specialty. Thus, improving growth rate in recruitment of males. On the other hand, level of stress and night duties were the most discouraging factors for female medical students toward the specialty. Lifestyle factors can influence medical students\u0026rsquo; career decisions, for this particular reason, it is important to consider these factors cautiously. Newton et al. reported students' perception of different specialties relating to lifestyle attractiveness, OB/GYNE was reported by students to be lifestyle unfriendly [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study explored the interest and perceived opportunities of medical students to the specialty, along with addressing different factors that might be linked to this perception. While this study included medical students from all years, it is important to acknowledge several limitations. This study only included medical students from public schools, excluding students from private institutions. Additionally, the present study focused on two medical schools in the eastern region, generalizing to all Saudi Arabia should be discussed carefully. Moreover, the gender disparity among respondents, with more female participants than males, could introduce a bias in the results. Another limitation is the reliance on self-reported questionnaire data, which is susceptible to biases such as social desirability bias. Participants may have provided responses they believed to be socially acceptable or in line with expected norms, rather than accurately expressing their genuine views. Lastly, the use of structured advantages may restrict the exploration of other potential factors, and there is a possibility of response bias affecting the outcomes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study confirms the gender-specific factors identified by previous studies. Efforts should be made to concentrate on the attracting factors of both genders to increase recruitment to the specialty. Moreover, addressing fear and stress upon male students by cultural and familial considerations would help subsequently to find a better solutions. Furthermore, increasing awareness of medical student, correcting misconceptions, and addressing problems of distracting factors is likely to alleviate the low rate of recruitment to the specialty.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInstitutional Review Board Statement:\u003c/strong\u003e This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Ethics Committee of Deanship of Scientific Research, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData Sharing Statement:\u003c/strong\u003e The data that support our findings can be found through directly asking the corresponding author.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInformed Consent Statement:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eInformed consent was obtained from all participants.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor Contributions:\u003c/strong\u003e All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported whether that is in conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article, gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to the article has been submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding Statement:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThis study was supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research, King Faisal University, Alhasa, Saudi Arabia (Grant No. KFU251350).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDisclosure:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThe authors declare no conflicts of interest in this work.\u003c/p\u003e\n"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTsai CH, Hsieh CH, Huang JP, Lin PL, Kuo TC, Huang MC (2021) A survey of career-decision factors for obstetrics and gynecology residents in Taiwan. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 60(4):628\u0026ndash;633. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjog.2021.05.009\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFehlmann A, Abbiati M, D\u0026auml;llenbach P, Savoldelli LG (2019) Motives influencing students\u0026rsquo; preferences for obstetrics and gynaecology speciality: A cross-sectional multi-site Swiss study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 237:157\u0026ndash;163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2019.04.036\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAbu-Rafea BF, Al-Hassan BF, Al Nakshabandi KA, Rahbini NO, Al-Shaikh GK (2011) Factors influencing students\u0026rsquo; decision in choosing obstetrics and gynecology as a career in a university hospital in Central Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J 32(7):730\u0026ndash;734\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMahha AJ, Abutaleb AA, Madkhali AM, Hakami MM, Jelan NS, Hakami RH (2020) Saudi medical students\u0026rsquo; views on obstetrics and gynecology as a future career specialty. 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BMC Health Serv Res 6:137. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-6-137\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScott IM, Nasmith T, Gowans MC, Wright BJ, Brenneis FR (2010) Obstetrics and gynaecology as a career choice: a cohort study of Canadian medical students. J Obstet Gynaecol Can 32(11):1063\u0026ndash;1069. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1701-2163(16)34715-6\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSchnuth RL, Vasilenko P, Mavis B, Marshall J (2003) What influences medical students to pursue careers in obstetrics and gynecology? Am J Obstet Gynecol 189(3):639\u0026ndash;643. https://doi.org/10.1067/s0002-9378(03)00886-x\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJanssen SM, Lagro-Janssen ALM (2012) Physician\u0026rsquo;s gender, communication style, patient preferences and patient satisfaction in gynecology and obstetrics: a systematic review. Patient Educ Couns 89(2):221\u0026ndash;226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2012.06.034\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCraig LB, Buery-Joyner SD, Bliss S, et al. 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Am J Obstet Gynecol 193(1):289\u0026ndash;293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2004.11.011\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDar-Odeh N, Elsayed SA, Nourwali I, Ryalat S, Al-Shayyab MH, Abu-Hammad O (2019) Social factors as career obstacles for female oral and maxillofacial surgeons in three Middle Eastern countries. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 48(11):1504\u0026ndash;1508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijom.2019.03.001\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZolaly MA, Kasim K, Mahmoud MI (2013) Medical career selection among newly graduated physicians in Madinah, KSA. Med Teach 35 Suppl 1:S63\u0026ndash;S67. https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2013.765541\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWallbridge T, Holden A, Picton A, Gupta J (2018) Does medical students\u0026rsquo; gender affect their clinical learning of gynaecological examination? A retrospective cohort study. Postgrad Med J 94(1112):325\u0026ndash;329. https://doi.org/10.1136/postgradmedj-2017-135390\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eObstetrics and gynaecology: one specialty or two? (2023) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37401763/ (accessed 4 August 2025)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecialists\u0026rsquo; view on segregating obstetrics and gynecology (2023) https://www.jsafog.com/abstractArticleContentBrowse/JSAFOG/23542/JPJ/fullText (accessed 4 August 2025)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAcharya G, Westgren M (2016) Obstetrics and gynecology\u0026mdash;a specialty in crisis? Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 95(10):1087\u0026ndash;1088. https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.12946\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAttitudes towards attrition among UK trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology (2017) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28614029/ (accessed 12 July 2025)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeinstein L (2003) The laborist: a new focus of practice for the obstetrician. Am J Obstet Gynecol 188(2):310\u0026ndash;312. https://doi.org/10.1067/mob.2003.133\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZahid AZM, Ismail Z, Abdullah B, Daud S (2015) Gender bias in training of medical students in obstetrics and gynaecology: a myth or reality? Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 186:17\u0026ndash;21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2014.12.018\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlunkett BA, Kohli P, Milad MP (2002) The importance of physician gender in the selection of an obstetrician or a gynecologist. Am J Obstet Gynecol 186(5):926\u0026ndash;928. https://doi.org/10.1067/mob.2002.123401\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChilds AJ, Friedman WH, Schwartz MP, Johnson M, Royek AB (2005) Female patients\u0026rsquo; sex preferences in selection of gynecologists and surgeons. South Med J 98(4):405\u0026ndash;408. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.SMJ.0000129925.70634.53\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003evan den Einden LCG, te Kolste MGJ, Lagro-Janssen ALM, Dukel L (2014) Medical students\u0026rsquo; perceptions of the physician\u0026rsquo;s role in not allowing them to perform gynecological examinations. Acad Med 89(1):77\u0026ndash;83. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACM.0000000000000055\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBienstock JL, Laube DW (2005) The recruitment phoenix: strategies for attracting medical students into obstetrics and gynecology. Obstet Gynecol 105(5 Pt 1):1125\u0026ndash;1127. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.AOG.0000162532.62399.99\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoter DL, Hall JA, Aoki Y (2002) Physician gender effects in medical communication: a meta-analytic review. JAMA 288(6):756\u0026ndash;764. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.288.6.756\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigham J (2006) How can we make our medical students enthusiastic about a future in obstetrics and gynaecology? BJOG 113(5):499\u0026ndash;501. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2006.00926.x\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdkins SE, Minchew HM, Sanner Dixon K, Chollet Hinton L, Kilgore LJ, Berbel G (2023) A hands-on surgical event to improve medical student operating room confidence. J Surg Res 290:156\u0026ndash;163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2023.04.024\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMartini CJ, Veloski JJ, Barzansky B, Xu G, Fields SK (1994) Medical school and student characteristics that influence choosing a generalist career. JAMA 272(9):661\u0026ndash;668. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1994.03520090049031\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJacoby I, Meyer GS, Haffner W, Cheng EY, Potter AL, Pearse WH (1998) Modeling the future workforce of obstetrics and gynecology. Obstet Gynecol 92(3):450\u0026ndash;456. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0029-7844(98)00185-9\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMakam A, Mallappa Saroja CS, Edwards G (2010) Do women seeking care from obstetrician-gynaecologists prefer to see a female or a male doctor? Arch Gynecol Obstet 281(3):443\u0026ndash;447. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-009-1199-5\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Obstetrics, Gynecology, Medical students, Career, Saudi Arabia","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7418553/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7418553/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBackground:\u003c/strong\u003e According to the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, the specialty of obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYNE) is displaying a growing gap between the empty positions and the number of applicants.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAim and Objectives:\u003c/strong\u003e The aim of the study was to ascertain the perception of medical students about obstetrics and gynecology specialty and identify the factors influencing medical students in choosing OB/GYNE as a future career.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial and methods:\u003c/strong\u003e This cross-sectional study invited 476 medical undergraduate students to complete an anonymous electronic survey that consists of questions related career intentions, opportunities, and attitudes of medical students toward OB/GYNE and questions about factors that attracts and discourages students to choose OB/GYNE as a career. We examined the statistical association between the categorical variables by using Chi-square test.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResults:\u003c/strong\u003e The results of the present study indicated that 154 (32.35%) students were interested in OB/GYNE. Sixty-one percent (19.24%) female participants reported OB/GYNE as their first choice, while only 11 (6.92%) male participants expressed OB/GYNE as their first choice. Female medical students reported that rotation through OB/GYNE during medical school, presence of a role model in OB/GYNE specialty, faculty interaction, faculty encouragement, patients’ desire for a female physician, cultural expectations, intellectual content of OBGYN, and spouse/family opinion were attracting factors to the OB/GYNE specialty. On the other hand, level of stress and night duties were discouraging factors among female students. The main factors attracting male medical students towards OB/GYNE specialty were taking care of a healthy population and surgical opportunities. Patients’ desire for a female physician, cultural expectations, spouse/family opinion, and affect family life/ family considerations were discouraging factors in choosing OB/GYNE as a future careers for male students.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusion:\u003c/strong\u003e Majority of the factors that discourage male medical students from choosing OB/GYNE as a future careers are to some extend modifiable. The large gender imbalance should encourage consideration of the reason for male students choosing OB/GYNE in falling numbers.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Factors influencing Medical Students to Pursue Career in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Saudi Arabia","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-09-23 10:25:28","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7418553/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"ebe73083-4076-4433-872c-b5d5a9fbb838","owner":[],"postedDate":"September 23rd, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":55086633,"name":"Health sciences/Health care"},{"id":55086634,"name":"Health sciences/Health occupations"},{"id":55086635,"name":"Health sciences/Medical research"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-01-07T16:54:12+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-09-23 10:25:28","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7418553","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7418553","identity":"rs-7418553","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}