Author:
Ugarte-Gurrutxaga MIdoia,Mazoteras-Pardo Victoria-,de Corral Gonzalo Melgar,Molina-Gallego Brígida,Mordillo-Mateos Laura,Gómez-Cantarino Sagrario
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Transnational migratory movements make Spain a country with a very diverse population, including women and girls from countries where Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is practiced. Given this reality, we set out to carry out a qualitative study to identify the knowledge, attitudes and skills of health professionals regarding FGM.
Method
Qualitative study with a content analysis approach. Forty-seven health professionals with the profiles of Nursing, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Midwifery and Gynecology and Obstetrics were purposively selected. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus groups. The qualitative content analysis approach was used for data analysis. The study was conducted in the years 2019 and 2022.
Results
Although most professionals are aware of the current legislation on FGM in Spain, only a few of them are aware of the existence of the FGM prevention protocol in Castilla-La Mancha. This lack of knowledge together with the perception that FGM belongs to the private sphere of women, contributes to the loss of opportunities to identify and prevent FGM.
Conclusion
Health professionals’ training, especially midwives and pediatricians, is essential to the identification and action against Female Genital Mutilation.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Reference41 articles.
1. World Health Organization. Care of Women and Girls Living with Female Genital Mutilation: A Clinical Handbook; World Health Organization: Geneva, Switzerland, 2018. Available online: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/272429/9789241513913-eng.pdf?ua=1 (accessed on 20 December 2022).
2. Williams-Breault BD. Eradicating Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Human Rights-Based Approaches of Legislation, Education, and Community Empowerment. Health Hum Rights. 2018;20(2):223 – 33. Available online: https://www.jstor.org/stable/26542074?seq=1 (accessed on 19 November 2022).
3. Baillot H, Murray N, Connelly E, Howard N. Addressing female genital mutilation in Europe: a scoping review of approaches to participation, prevention, protection, and provision of services. Int J Equity Health. 2018;17(1):21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-017-0713-9.
4. Johansen REB, Ziyada MM, Shell-Duncan B, Kaplan AM, Leye E. Health sector involvement in the management of female genital mutilation/cutting in 30 countries. BMC Health Serv Res. 2018;18(1):240. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3033-x.
5. UNICEF. Female Genital Mutilation/cutting: a Global Concern. UNICEF’s Data Work on FGM/C. UNICEF,2016. Available online: https://data.unicef.org/resources/female-genital-mutilationcutting-global-concern/ (accessed on 25 June 2022).