Sexual Harassment among Female Healthcare Workers, its Consequences and Barriers in Seeking Help in India's Health Sector.

Introduction: Women in healthcare sector, due to their gendered roles and long working hours, are more vulnerable to sexual harassment (SH). This study investigates the prevalence of SH among female healthcare workers (HCWs) in India, explores barriers to seeking help and examines the consequences on their lives.

Method: A mixed method study was conducted over one year enrolling female healthcare workers from government and private settings. Quantitative data was collected via face-to-face interviews and Google forms using revised Sexual Experiences Questionnaire (SEQ)-5. This was followed by focus group discussions to gain a deeper understanding of barriers in seeking help and the effects on personal and social life, utilizing framework analysis.

Results: High prevalence was seen, 50.7% % (95% CI: 46.7-54.8) in the last 12 month, and 92.2% (95% CI: 89.8-94.1) of HCWs ever experienced SH. While 47.1% were aware about legal provisions, only 17.4% who experienced SH reported to the authorities. Fear, distrust in authority and redressal system, lack of knowledge and support, emotional and psychological barriers, and societal stigma emerged as major barriers in reporting such incidents and seeking help. SH had a huge effect on their personal and social lives, with some HCWs even leaving their jobs.

Conclusions: High prevalence and poor knowledge and underreporting necessitate stricter enforcement of SH regulations. Pre-employment briefings on workplace SH, regular sensitization sessions on reporting mechanisms, and creating a supportive work environment are crucial. This will encourage female HCWs to come forward and report such incidents, without any fear of victimization and stigmatization.