COVID-19 and Access to Medical Professional Careers: Does Gender Matter?

OBJECTIVE: To know to what extent home confinement resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the results of the Medical Intern Resident Program (MIR) exam and whether or not a gender gap has occurred as a consequence. METHOD: Econometric modeling of the final result obtained in the MIR exam and identification of the explanatory factors that determine it and its relevance, effect and meaning. RESULTS: From the results obtained in the MIR test of the 2019, 2020 and 2021 calls, it can be seen that examinations and academic records together with demographic and calendar factors are determinants to explain the observed behavior of the final result. In relation to the gender factor, the existence of a differential fixed effect in favor of women is shown, although the interaction with the exam shows the opposite result. The nationality variable allows us to visualize a scenario of academic homogeneity. The effect of the calendar directly linked to the COVID-19 pandemic makes it possible to quantify the negative impact exerted on the final result. CONCLUSIONS: (1) The work reflects the impact of factors such as sex, nationality or the COVID-19 pandemic on access to specialized health training in Spain. (2) In contrast to previous studies, we found a significant difference in behavior between men and women, favorably linked to the female sex. However, the so-called sprint effect associated with the male sex was detected. (3) The negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the final score are visualized. The existing differential with respect to the control category is quantified and the dominance of the hierarchical position of the temporal component within the set of explanatory factors is visualized.

Disasters, Gender, and HIV Infection: The Impact of the 2010 Haiti Earthquake.

Although disasters threaten all people who experience them, they do not affect all members of society in the same way. Its effects are not solely restricted to the economic sphere; they also affect the physical and mental health of those who suffer from them, having a particular impact on women and limiting their life chances. The aim of this study was to examine the impact the 2010 Haiti earthquake had on the seropositivity of female survivors. METHOD: Using data from the Demographic and Health Survey, this study examines the impact of the 2010 Haiti earthquake on gender relations associated with the probability of being HIV positive through the differences-in-differences strategy. RESULTS: A differential of four percentage points is observed in the probability of HIV seropositivity between men and women, favoring men. Additionally, it is observed that the probability of seropositivity intensifies when the cohabitation household is headed by a woman. CONCLUSION: Disasters are not indifferent to the gender of the people affected. In the second decade of the 21st century, the conclusions obtained show, once again, the need for incorporating the gender perspective into the management of natural hazards in the field of health. This is the case of the differential exposure to HIV after the earthquake in Haiti.

Contextual determinants of induced abortion: a panel analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze the contextual and individual characteristics that explain the differences in the induced abortion rate, temporally and territorially. METHODS: We conducted an econometric analysis with panel data of the influence of public investment in health and per capita income on induced abortion as well as a measurement of the effect of social and economic factors related to the labor market and reproduction: female employment, immigration, adolescent fertility and marriage rate. The empirical exercise was conducted with a sample of 22 countries in Europe for the 2001-2009 period. RESULTS: The great territorial variability of induced abortion was the result of contextual and individual socioeconomic factors. Higher levels of national income and investments in public health reduce its incidence. The following sociodemographic characteristics were also significant regressors of induced abortion: female employment, civil status, migration, and adolescent fertility. CONCLUSIONS: Induced abortion responds to sociodemographic patterns, in which the characteristics of each country are essential. The individual and contextual socioeconomic inequalities impact significantly on its incidence. Further research on the relationship between economic growth, labor market, institutions and social norms is required to better understand its transnational variability and to reduce its incidence.

Contextual determinants of induced abortion: a panel analysis / Determinantes contextuales del aborto inducido: un análisis panel

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE Analyze the contextual and individual characteristics that explain the differences in the induced abortion rate, temporally and territorially. METHODS We conducted an econometric analysis with panel data of the influence of public investment in health and per capita income on induced abortion as well as a measurement of the effect of social and economic factors related to the labor market and reproduction: female employment, immigration, adolescent fertility and marriage rate. The empirical exercise was conducted with a sample of 22 countries in Europe for the 2001-2009 period. RESULTS The great territorial variability of induced abortion was the result of contextual and individual socioeconomic factors. Higher levels of national income and investments in public health reduce its incidence. The following sociodemographic characteristics were also significant regressors of induced abortion: female employment, civil status, migration, and adolescent fertility. CONCLUSIONS Induced abortion responds to sociodemographic patterns, in which the characteristics of each country are essential. The individual and contextual socioeconomic inequalities impact significantly on its incidence. Further research on the relationship between economic growth, labor market, institutions and social norms is required to better understand its transnational variability and to reduce its incidence.

RESUMEN OBJETIVO Analizar las características contextuales e individuales que explican las diferencias en la tasa de aborto inducido, temporal y territorialmente. MÉTODOS Se realizó un análisis econométrico, con datos panel, de la influencia de la inversión pública en salud y renta per cápita sobre el aborto inducido, además de una medición del efecto de factores sociales y económicos relacionados con el mercado laboral y con la reproducción: empleo femenino, inmigración, fecundidad adolescente y nupcialidad. El ejercicio empírico se realizó con una muestra de 22 países de Europa, para el periodo 2001-2009. RESULTADOS La gran variabilidad territorial del aborto inducido fue consecuencia de factores socioeconómicos contextuales e individuales. Mayores niveles de renta nacional y de inversiones en salud pública, reducen su incidencia. Las siguientes características sociodemográficas también fueron regresores significativos del aborto inducido: empleo femenino, estado civil, migración y fecundidad adolescente. CONCLUSIONES El aborto inducido responde a patrones sociodemográficos, en los que las peculiaridades de cada país son fundamentales. Las desigualdades socioeconómicas, a nivel individual y contextual, afectan de forma significativa su incidencia. Es necesaria más investigación acerca de relaciones entre crecimiento económico, mercado laboral, instituciones y normas sociales, para comprender mejor su variabilidad transnacional, y para poder reducir su incidencia.