Gender-Based and Sexualized Behaviors in Perioperative Workplaces in Türkiye: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Survey

Evidence on gender-based and sexualized conduct in perioperative workplaces in Türkiye is limited. This exploratory study described 12-month self-identified personal exposure, behavior encounters, reporting, organizational climate, impacts, and prevention priorities in a self-selected sample.

An anonymous web survey used open non-probability recruitment from 8 June to 31 July 2026. Eligible respondents worked in operating-room or anesthesia services. Sample proportions were reported with Wilson 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and sex comparisons were performed.

Of 183 submissions, 179 were eligible (111 women; 68 men). Self-identified personal exposure to either gender-based or sexual harassment was reported by 15/176 respondents (8.5%, 95% CI 5.2-13.6): 13.8% of women and 0% of men (p < 0.001). Overall, 63.1% reported experiencing or witnessing at least one specified behavior; this secondary outcome was not a measure of personal harassment prevalence. Among 75 respondents routed through the context items to the reporting question, 74.7% selected 'No' or 'Considered reporting but did not'; the item did not identify which specific behavior was being considered. Lower exploratory climate scores and higher impact scores accompanied personal exposure. Managerial sanctions and retaliation protection were rated the highest.

Within this self-selected sample, the observed conduct, sex differences, and limited use of reporting pathways within the routed subgroup warrant organizational attention. Results should not be interpreted as nationally representative prevalence estimates.