Gender Disparities in Medical and Dental Admissions: Students' Perspectives on Barriers

Gender Disparity at Bolan Medical College, Quetta

Authors

  • Nabiha Farasat Khan Professor and Chairperson, Department of Oral Pathology, Bolan Medical College, Quetta
  • Muhammad Ilyas Assistant Professor, Balochistan Institute of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Quetta, Balochistan.
  • Raz Muhammad Professor and Head, Department of Neurosurgery, Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Quetta, Balochistan.
  • Usama Saeed House Officer, Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Quetta, Balochistan.
  • Muhammad Saim Medical Student Year 2, Bolan Medical College, Quetta, Balochistan.
  • Muhammad Saeed Senior Demonstrator, Department of Oral Pathology, Bolan Medical College, Balochistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51846/jucmd.v4iS.3731

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the gender distribution trends in the MDCAT test, MBBS, and BDS admissions at Bolan Medical College (BMC), Quetta, from 2019 to 2024, and to gather students' perceptions regarding the barriers faced by female students in medical education.

Methodology: This qualitative study was conducted in 2024 at BMC, Quetta, to examine gender inequity in MBBS and BDS admissions from 2019 to 2024. Thirty-two first-year female students from the 2024 batch were purposively selected for focus group discussions (FGDs) to explore their personal experiences regarding gender-specific challenges. The themes that emerged were safety concerns, transportation issues, cultural norms and social pressures, lack of female role models, and family support. In addition, the study examined the availability and accessibility of MDCAT preparation resources, specifically for students from rural backgrounds, who reported more challenges in accessing coaching and educational materials.

Results: The five-year data analysis revealed persistent gender inequity, with female admissions consistently lower than male admissions. In MBBS, female admissions ranged from 39.2% (n=89/227) in 2019-2020 to 30.62% (n=105/343) in 2023-2024, while female enrollment in BDS remained relatively equal, at 61.36% (n=27/44) in 2019-2020 and 52.27% (n=23/47) in 2023-2024. Among the surveyed students, 37.5% (n=15) reported encountering barriers in pursuing health sciences. The primary obstacles identified were safety concerns and transportation issues at academic institutions (47.5%, n=19), followed by cultural norms and social pressures (20%, n=8), and a lack of female role models in college (12.5%, n=5). While most participants identified inadequate family support and limited access to MDCAT preparation as the primary obstacles, they found educational resources and coaching centers to be generally sufficient. However, a subset of students from rural areas reported restricted access.

Conclusion: There was a persistent gender inequity in MBBS and BDS admissions in BMC with female students facing considerable challenges both pre and post-admission.  

Keywords: Aptitude Test, Gender Inequality, Family Support, Social Support.

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Published

08-02-2025

How to Cite

1.
Khan NF, Muhammad Ilyas, Raz Muhammad, Usama Saeed, Muhammad Saim, Muhammad Saeed. Gender Disparities in Medical and Dental Admissions: Students’ Perspectives on Barriers: Gender Disparity at Bolan Medical College, Quetta. J Univ Coll Med Dent. [Internet]. 2025 Feb. 8 [cited 2026 Mar. 29];4(S):32-7. Available from: https://testjournals.uol.edu.pk/index.php/jucmd/article/view/3731

Issue

Special Issue: Volume 4 Issue S

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Nabiha Farasat Khan, Ilyas, Raz, Usama Saeed Usama, Muhammad Saeed Saeed, Muhammad Saim Saim

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