The aim of this study was to explore the perception of male nursing students’ experiences and challenges in maternity clinical practice. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was used. The self-administered questionnaire included 18 items 5-point Likert scale to identify the challenges experienced by male nursing students in their maternity clinical practice, and 14 items to assess comfort level in performing procedures in maternity clinical areas. Participants were 93 male nursing students who had completed their maternity clinical posting in different maternity clinical areas as a part of their nursing program, at the College of Nursing, Kuwait. Results showed that male nursing students are not very keen on undergoing maternity clinical training (Chi-square analysis χ2 = 96.939; P < 0.001). Participants are concerned that they will not be accepted to provide care to maternity clients because of the gender difference and prevailing cultural scenario. Out of the 93 participants, the majority 77 (82.8%) reported that they were treated differently at the maternity unit because of their gender. Chi-square analysis showed that male nursing students were not comfortable performing procedures involving exposure to private parts (χ2 = 108.638; P < 0.001). 35.5% of participants were refused by the maternity clients to provide them care. Out of 60 (64.5%) participants who were not refused to provide nursing care to obstetric clients, 49 (52.7% of the total) decided not to work in maternity areas. These results indicate that male nursing graduates prefer not to work in maternity areas (McNemer’s test χ2 = 5.297; P = 0.021). In conclusion, this study showed that being treated differently and being refused to provide care to clients were the main challenges faced by male nursing students during their maternity practice. The participants had a strong belief that they will not be accepted by maternity clients because of the gender difference and cultural influence. There is a need to design strategies in both academic and clinical settings to overcome barriers to male nursing students’ engagement in the various maternity care areas. Our findings also indicate the need to embrace gender diversity in maternity clinical practice and call for professionalism, gender and cultural awareness creation, and advocacy.
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