A Multicentric Study on Knowledge & Attitude towards Homosexuality Among Medical Professionals in Gujarat

Background: Healthcare professionals’ knowledge and attitudes toward homosexuality influence patient trust, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes. In India, evolving societal norms and legal reforms demand inclusive clinical practice. This study assessed attitudes and knowledge of medical professionals in Gujarat toward homosexuality. Methods: A multicentric, cross-sectional survey was conducted among 500 registered doctors (MBBS, MS, MD) across five tertiary-care hospitals and three medical colleges in Gujarat. A culturally adapted, 21-item Homosexuality Attitude Scale assessed beliefs, comfort levels, and rights-based views. Responses on a 5-point Likert scale were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U, and Chi-square tests in SPSS v25. Results: Of the respondents, 52% were male and 48% female; mean age was 34.7 ± 6.3 years. Most rejected outdated notions: 89.6% disagreed that homosexuality is a disease, 86.4% affirmed the capacity for stable relationships, and 83.2% were comfortable discussing the topic with patients. Equal legal and medical rights were supported by 90.2%, and 88.1% advocated LGBTQ+ inclusivity in medical curricula. Stereotypes were rare— only 9% believed homosexuality resulted from psychological trauma, and 8.6% associated it with promiscuity. No significant differences in attitudes were observed by gender (p=0.437) or qualification (p=0.519). Conclusion: Medical professionals in Gujarat exhibit high levels of acceptance and inclusivity toward homosexuality, aligning with modern clinical and human rights standards. However, minor pockets of neutrality or bias persist, underscoring the need for targeted education and sensitization training.