Female Genital Mutilation: perceptions of healthcare professionals and the perspective of the migrant families

Abstract

BackgroundFemale Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a traditional practice which is harmful to health and is profoundly rooted in many Sub-Saharan African countries. It is estimated that between 100 and 140 million women around the world have been victims of some form of FGM and that each year 3 million girls are at risk of being submitted to these practices. As a consequence of the migratory phenomena, the problems associated with FGM have extended to the Western countries receiving the immigrants. The practice of FGM has repercussions on the physical, psychic, sexual and reproductive health of women, severely deteriorating their current and future quality of life. Primary healthcare professionals are in a privileged position to detect and prevent these situations of risk which will be increasingly more present in Spain.Methods/DesignThe objective of the study is to describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the primary healthcare professionals, working in 25 health care centres in Barcelona and Girona regions, regarding FGM, as well as to investigate the perception of this subject among the migrant communities from countries with strong roots in these practices. A transversal descriptive study will be performed with a questionnaire to primary healthcare professionals and migrant healthcare users.Using a questionnaire specifically designed for this study, we will evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and skills of the healthcare professionals to approach this problem. In a sub-study, performed with a similar methodology but with the participation of cultural mediators, the perceptions of the migrant families in relation to their position and expectancies in view of the result of preventive interventions will be determined.Variables related to the socio-demographic aspects, knowledge of FGM (types, cultural origin, geographic distribution and ethnicity), evaluation of attitudes and beliefs towards FGM and previous contact or experience with cases or risk situations will be obtained.DiscussionKnowledge of these harmful practices and a preventive approach from a transcultural perspective may represent a positive intervention model for integrative care of immigrants, respecting their values and culture while also being effective in eliminating the physical and psychic consequences of FGM.

A Tradition in Transition: Factors Perpetuating and Hindering the Continuance of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) Summarized in a Systematic Review

“…Two records could not be obtained in full text (Black Women's Health and Family Support Group, 1994; Sy, 1993) and one study is forthcoming (Kaplan-Marcusan et al, 2010). The reviewers read 117 full texts and included 21 studies, 15 of which were qualitative investigations, five were quantitative cross-sectional studies, and one was a mixed-methods study (Table 1).…”

Evidence to inform education, training and supportive work environments for midwives involved in the care of women with female genital mutilation: A review of global experience

“…These included papers that were not focused on midwives but traditional birth attendants (TBAs) (Ali, 2012), or nurses (Onuh et al, 2006). Papers that were not based on primary data such as study protocol papers (KaplanͲMarcusan, et al, 2010) were removed and grey literature reports (USAID, 2003) and reviews (Abdulcadir et al, 2011) were also discarded.…”

Female genital mutilation: Knowledge, attitude and practices of Flemish midwives

“…Several other European countries have investigated the knowledge, attitude and practice on FGM among health professionals (UNICEF, 2005;Tamaddon et al, 2006;Zaidi et al, 2007;Kaplan-Marcusán et al, 2010;RCM, 2012), including a KAP survey among Flemish gynaecologists (Leye et al, 2008). However, to date, no KAP-survey on FGM was conducted among midwives in Flanders.…”

“…Due to the increased migration from women of countries where the harmful practice is embedded, FGM has become an issue in western countries too (Kaplan-Marcusán et al, 2010;Abdulcadir et al, 2011). A second prevalence study in Belgium has estimated that by the end of 2012, 48,092 women and girls originating from countries where FGM is practiced, live in Belgium.…”