Patient preference for providers' gender at a primary health care setting in Alexandria, Egypt.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine patient's gender preferences in choosing general practitioners and specialists for both general and specific health issues at primary health care centers in Alexandria, Egypt.

METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Smouha Health Center, Alexandria Governorate, Alexandria, Egypt. The study was conducted between the period January -- March 2004. A pre-designed questionnaire was used. The format included 3 main sections, namely, socio-demographic, beliefs towards provider's gender, and providers' preferences of patients.

RESULTS: Both male and female patients preferred a male physician for consultation and clinical management of cases. The highest percentage of male patients (81.4%) and female patients (41.0%) preferred physician of the same gender, and such preference was of personal reasons for males (97.9%) and females (96.6%), while basing on traditions and norms for male (62.9%) and female (63.4%). Significant results of the stepwise logistic regression analysis in relation to socio-demographic factors on provider preference revealed that job and income were the significant determinants of gender preference for the sample under study.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients prefer physicians of the same gender, but in actual practice a male physician is believed to be more competent.