Knowledge of healthcare professionals about female genital mutilation
Section: Cover story
How to quote
García Aguado S, Sánchez López MI. Conocimientos de los profesionales sanitarios sobre la mutilación genital femenina. Metas Enferm 2013; 16(7):18-22.
Authors
1Sara García Aguado, 2María Inmaculada Sánchez López
Position
1Enfermera. Máster en Bioética. Profesora titular en la Universidad Europea de Madrid. Campus Valencia.2Enfermera.
Contact address
María Inmaculada Sánchez López. Facultad Ciencias de la Salud. Departamento de Enfermería.Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera de Moncada. Avda. Seminar
Contact email: maria.sanchez6@uch.ceu.es
Abstract
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a practice conducted in some cultures. The fact that healthcare professionals must treat persons from different cultures brings them into contact with cultural practices which have an impact on health and disease, such as FGM.
Objective: to determine the knowledge about FGM shown by midwives, gynecologists and pediatricians in the province of Valencia, and whether these professionals have been trained on FGM; to identify the number of cases managed by them and the action taken, and to understand the need to extend their training perceived by these professionals.
Methodology: descriptive, longitudinal and prospective study. Midwives, pediatricians and gynecologists were included in the study. A self-prepared survey was used for data collection, and it was administered in different health centers and public and private hospitals in the province of Valencia.
Results: the sample included 110 participants; 28 (25.24%) were men and 82 (74.54%) were women. Their average age was 42 years, and they had an average 15 years of professional experience. 57% answered correctly to what FGM consists in. 51.8% was aware of the consequences entailed by this practice. A 90% considered it is necessary to extend their training. Previous training is directly associated with having knowledge about the subject (p= 0.044; p= 0.002). There is a significant relationship (p= 4.13 e-11) between the variables determining whether participants consider they have enough training, and whether they consider it necessary to extend said training.
Conclusions: the knowledge by healthcare professionals about FGM is not sufficient, and therefore, it would be advisable to extend their training.
Objective: to determine the knowledge about FGM shown by midwives, gynecologists and pediatricians in the province of Valencia, and whether these professionals have been trained on FGM; to identify the number of cases managed by them and the action taken, and to understand the need to extend their training perceived by these professionals.
Methodology: descriptive, longitudinal and prospective study. Midwives, pediatricians and gynecologists were included in the study. A self-prepared survey was used for data collection, and it was administered in different health centers and public and private hospitals in the province of Valencia.
Results: the sample included 110 participants; 28 (25.24%) were men and 82 (74.54%) were women. Their average age was 42 years, and they had an average 15 years of professional experience. 57% answered correctly to what FGM consists in. 51.8% was aware of the consequences entailed by this practice. A 90% considered it is necessary to extend their training. Previous training is directly associated with having knowledge about the subject (p= 0.044; p= 0.002). There is a significant relationship (p= 4.13 e-11) between the variables determining whether participants consider they have enough training, and whether they consider it necessary to extend said training.
Conclusions: the knowledge by healthcare professionals about FGM is not sufficient, and therefore, it would be advisable to extend their training.
Keywords:
anthropology; Descriptive Study; Female circumcisiongenital mutilation
Versión en Español
Título:
Conocimientos de los profesionales sanitarios sobre la mutilación genital femenina
Artículo completo no disponible en este idioma / Full article is not available in this language
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