Integrating gender into health research; A scoping study on conceptual frameworks and tools for measuring gender

Tools to measure gender were first made available in the 1930's and since that time, the focus of the measures has changed in many ways. Originally, tools were developed to elicit 'typical' female or male traits. Over time, new scales were developed for the purpose of differentiating between individual men and women, who displayed more male or female traits. There is evidence to suggest that health may be affected specifically when attitudes, and roles conflict within oneself. Indepth examination of the tools and scales that measure gender behaviours, attitudes, as well as those that measure role stress is required in order to determine the feasibility of measuring gender in health care research and ultimately the impact of gender on health across the lifespan.