Enhancing Male Nursing Students' Competence in Maternity Care: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Egypt

The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of structured clinical teaching scenarios on male nursing students' competence-including knowledge, self-confidence, and practical performance-in maternity care. In many countries, including Egypt, male nursing students face significant barriers during obstetric and gynecological clinical rotations due to cultural beliefs, patient preferences, and traditional gender perceptions. These limitations restrict opportunities for direct hands-on practice, which can negatively affect students' clinical confidence and procedural skills. To address these educational gaps, this quasi-experimental study utilizes a one-group pre-test/post-test design. A total of 150 male undergraduate nursing students enrolled in the maternity nursing clinical course at Delta University for Science and Technology, Egypt, will participate in structured scenario-based clinical teaching and simulation training. Clinical competence, practical skills, self-confidence, and learning satisfaction will be assessed before and immediately after the educational intervention using an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), standardized performance checklists, and validated satisfaction and confidence scales.

Inclusion Criteria:Enrolled as a male undergraduate nursing student in the maternity nursing clinical course at the Faculty of Nursing, Delta University for Science and Technology during the academic year of data collection. Voluntary agreement to participate in the study with signed written informed consent. Regular attendance in required clinical and simulation course sessions. - Exclusion Criteria:Absence during either the pre-test or post-test evaluation sessions. Refusal to participate or withdrawal of consent at any point during the study period. Prior formal or advanced simulation-based maternity nursing training outside the regular university undergraduate curriculum. \-