Midwives' Views on Virginity Testing: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Several cultural and social factors have influenced virginity testing as a medical procedure. This procedure is performed, but sometimes there is no scientific reason to perform it. Objective: This study investigated the views of midwives working in Tabriz, Iran, about virginity testing. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 210 midwives using the sociodemographic and a researcher-made questionnaire to assess midwives’ views on virginity testing. The samples were selected by random sampling among midwives working in Tabriz City, Iran. The Pearson correlation test, independent t-test, and one-way ANOVA were used to determine the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and midwives’ views on virginity testing. Results: The Mean±SD age of the participants was 35.25±8.9 years. The overall score of the midwives’ view on virginity testing was 206.98, of an attainable range from 55 to 275. There was a significant relationship between the overall score of midwives’ views on virginity testing with the variables of age (P=0.033), education level (P=0.001), ethnicity (P=0.012), place of residence (P=0.001), and place of employment (P=0.001). Most midwives (56.2%) believe virginity testing has no therapeutic value and prevention of problems and should not be done, and 59.1% opposed virginity testing motivated by a man’s right to impose a healthy virginity condition on marriage. Most participants (81.9%) agreed to perform virginity testing to investigate rape and sexual abuse. Conclusion: The authorities and the legislators should take the necessary measures to prepare the regulations and provide appropriate training to this group.