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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Male complications of female genital mutilation.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is known to cause a wide range of immediate and long-term complications for women subjected to the practice. Male complications due to FGM have, however, not been described before. The objectives of this study were to explore male complications and attitudes with regard to FGM. A village in the Gezira Scheme along the Blue Nile in Sudan constituted the basis of the study. Interviews were carried out according to a pre-tested questionnaire, using structured questions with open-answer possibilities. Married men of the youngest parental generation and grandfathers were randomly selected from up-to-date election lists. All respondents except one agreed to be interviewed. A total of 59 men were interviewed, 29 young men and 30 grandfathers. Male complications resulting from FGM, such as difficulty in penetration, wounds/infections on the penis and psychological problems were described by a majority of the men. Most men were also aware of the female complications. More young than old respondents would have accepted a woman without FGM to become their daughter-in-law (p < 0.03). A majority of the young men would have preferred to marry a woman without FGM. This proportion was significantly higher than among the grandfathers (p < 0.01). Female genital mutilation can no longer be considered to be only an issue for women. The acknowledged male complications and attitudes described may open new possibilities to counteract the practice of FGM.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Female genital mutilation].

Female genital mutilation is a collective name for all traditional practices concerning the cutting of the female genitals. Approximately 130 million are genitally cut worldwide, more than 100 million live in Africa. Annually, 2 million girls are at risk of being circumcised. FGM is deeply rooted in culture, tradition, religion and the identity. Hence, the struggle against FGM must be a combined effort of law enforcement, targeted information- and sensibilization campaigns, education and training activities for various target groups that aim at establishing behavioural changes.

Circumcision, Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Female genital mutilation. Female circumcision. Who is at risk in the U.S.?

Female genital mutilation/female circumcision (FGM/FC) refers to a group of traditional practices that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for cultural, religious, or other non-therapeutic reasons. These practices are usually performed by a nonmedical practitioner in the home or other nonclinical setting. Complications occurring immediately after the practice as well as those encountered months and years afterward can result in disability or premature death. In 1996 Congress directed the Department of Health and Human Services to develop estimates of the prevalence of women and girls with or at risk for FGM/FC in the United States. This paper reports those estimates, as derived by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which showed that in 1990 there were an estimated 168,000 girls and women living in the United States with or at risk for FGM/FC.

Acculturation↗
PubMed2001

[Female genital mutilation--a complex phenomenon].

As of today, more than 130 million girls and women worldwide are genitally mutilated. Female genital mutilation (FGM) exists primarily on the African continent (along and north of the equator), but the practice is also carried out elsewhere. Clitoridectomy was performed in medicine both in the United States and in Europe as late as in the 1950s. From a socioeconomic perspective FGM is understood as a practice that forms an important part of girls' socialization. FGM is practiced in societies where women's social acceptance and survival is secured through marriage and childbearing. Without FGM, the woman cannot get married, with the consequence that she has no status or access to resources. Her body practically becomes her only form of capital. From a psychosexual perspective FGM is interpreted as a practice that has been made possible in patriarchal societies where the sexuality of women has to be controlled and where unequal gender relationships are preserved. FGM is practiced by people from various religious denominations, among them Copts, Animists, Catholics, Protestants and Muslims, something that goes against the relatively common belief that FGM is practiced only among Muslims. The resistance to FGM found in countries where the practice is rife clearly demonstrates that patriarchal structures and what gets defined as "culture" are indeed possible to change and renegotiate.

Circumcision, Female↗
PubMed2001

[Female genital mutilation meets Swedish health care. Female genital mutilation is one of many forms of discrimination of women in the world].

About 27,000 women from countries in which female genital mutilation (FGM) is a common practice are presently living in Sweden. This means that FGM is a phenomenon that directly affects the Swedish health care system. Knowledge and understanding of the background, meaning and consequences of FGM are a prerequisite for effective prevention, proper clinical handling and supportive reception of the women. To avoid a stigmatizing reception it is also important to understand the situation of genitally mutilated women, and to become aware of the identity crisis many of them experience when they come to Sweden and lose their identity as "normal" women. It is essential to remember that female genital mutilation is one of many forms of discrimination affecting girls and women around the world. This discrimination knows no national or cultural borders and varies in expression and extent. In order to offer optimal care and reception of women who have been socialized into a gender role that is often seen as completely different from the gender role that Swedish society is said to embrace, it is of the utmost importance to first take a critical look beneath the veil of alleged gender equality of Swedish women.

Circumcision, Female↗
PubMed2003

Female genital mutilation and the unborn female child in southwest Nigeria.

Female genital mutilation, despite efforts to abolish it, is still widely practised in Nigeria. The risk of female genital mutilation to a female child in southwest Nigeria was investigated by interviewing 430 consecutive pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of Wesley Guild Hospital Ilesa, Nigeria between July 2001 to October 2001. The results show that 60% of the pregnant women studied had a type of genital mutilation. The decision to mutilate a female child is taken before she is born. Seventy-four (17.2%) of the women and 146 (34%) of their husbands would circumcise their female child. The decision to circumcise a female child is made between the husband and wife but the final decision comes mainly from the husband. Because the majority of the women (58.4%) were yet to decide whether or not to circumcise their female children, they could sway the decision either way before the husband makes up his mind. Therefore, every effort should be taken to involve men in the struggle to eradicate this unwholesome practice.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Female circumcision/female genital mutilation.

Female circumcision/female genital mutilation (FC/FGM) refers to any alteration of the genitalia by excision or covering of the introitus done for nonmedical reasons. This procedure is widely prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and is traditionally performed on children and young adolescents. FC/FGM is associated with acute and long-term genitourinary and reproductive disorders that may require medical intervention. Due to turbulent economic and political immigration patterns, Western physicians may be called upon to care for children or adolescents from this part of the world. This review explains the procedure and the resultant physical alterations as well as the cultural and historic basis of this ancient tradition. Emphasis is also placed on the elements of culturally competent and compassionate care for young women who have undergone FC/FGM.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

432 Somali women's birth experiences in Canada after earlier female genital mutilation.

BACKGROUND: Women with previous female genital mutilation (sometimes referred to as circumcision) are migrating, with increasing frequency, to countries where this practice is uncommon. Many health care professionals in these countries lack experience in assisting women with female genital mutilation during pregnancy and birth, and they are usually untrained in this aspect of care. Somali women who customarily practice the most extensive form of female mutilation, who were resident in Ontario and had recently given birth to a baby in Canada, were surveyed to explore their perceptions of perinatal care and their earlier genital mutilation experiences. METHOD: Interviews of 432 Somali women with previous female genital mutilation, who had given birth to a baby in Canada in the past five years, were conducted at their homes by a Somali woman interviewer. RESULTS: Findings suggested that women's needs are not always adequately met during their pregnancy and birth care. Women reported unhappiness with both clinical practice and quality of care. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in clinical obstetric practice are necessary to incorporate women's perceptions and needs, to use fewer interventions, and to demonstrate greater sensitivity for cross-cultural practices and more respectful treatment than is currently available in the present system of care.

Canada↗
PubMed1995

Female genital mutilation. Council on Scientific Affairs, American Medical Association.

Female genital mutilation is the medically unnecessary modification of female genitalia. Female genital mutilation typically occurs at about 7 years of age, but mutilated women suffer severe medical complications throughout their adult lives. Female genital mutilation most frequently occurs in Africa, the Middle East, and Muslim parts of Indonesia and Malaysia, and it is generally part of a ceremonial induction into adult society. Recent political and economic problems in these regions, however, have increased the numbers of students and refugees to the United States. Consequently, US physicians are treating an increasing number of mutilated patients. The Council on Scientific Affairs recommends that US physicians join the World Health Organization, the World Medical Association, and other major health care organizations in opposing all forms of medically unnecessary surgical modification of the female genitalia.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Factors associated with the condoning of female genital mutilation among university students.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is practiced in Egypt, despite its recent ban, generally in rural and uneducated communities, under unsanitary conditions and by non-medical personnel. Immediate and long-term complications are frequent. The aim of this study was to gain insight into what beliefs or knowledge are conducive to supporting FGM. One thousand and seventy university students in Cairo, Egypt were randomly selected. A 32-item questionnaire was used to interview students regarding their knowledge and attitudes toward FGM. Multivariable analyses were performed to find factors associated with being against the abolishment of FGM.The response rate was 95% (n=1020). Twenty-eight percent of the students support FGM. The most significant factors associated with the condoning of FGM were believing FGM has a religious basis (OR=2.53), disagreeing that FGM is a custom with no other basis (OR=2.59), not believing it is harmful (OR=4.11), and ignoring that it is usually followed by complications (OR=5.14). Even in an educated population, a considerable amount of ignorance concerning FGM exists. Widespread education about FGM is important to dispel the myths that surround its practice and to bring the practice to an end.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Female genital mutilation: an overview.

The literature on female genital mutilation (also known as female circumcision) within a feminist theoretical context is discussed. Issues of culture, politics and religion in the literature will be examined in relation to feminist thought and the paper will also assess the effects of female genital mutilation on women's health and status within developing societies. Parallels with other similar practices in developed and developing countries will be drawn and policy strategies discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Female genital mutilation: perspectives, risks, and complications.

Female genital mutilation, traditionally known as female circumcision, is a surgically unnecessary modification of the female genitalia, practiced in nations in Africa, the Arab Peninsula, among some communities in Asia, and among immigrants and refugees from these areas who have settled in other areas. The practice is known across socio-economic classes and among many different ethnic and cultural groups, including Christians, Muslims, Jews, and followers of indigenous African religions. As people from these areas immigrate to North America, health care professionals need to understand the important aspects of this growing problem, including management of complications, cultural attitudes, and sensitivities.

Africa↗
PubMed2001

Female genital mutilation: analysis of the first twelve months of a Southeast London specialist clinic.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the sources and reasons for referral of women who have undergone genital mutilation to a recently established specialist clinic, and to determine the consequences of the genital mutilation procedure. DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive case series. SETTING: The maternity units of Guy's and St. Thomas's Hospital, London. POPULATION: One hundred and sixteen women attending the clinic over a one-year period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) sources and reasons for referral to the specialist clinic; (2) characteristics of the women attending the clinic; (3) acute and chronic complications of the genital mutilation procedure; (4) attitudes towards female genital mutilation. RESULTS: Complete case records were available for 108 women. Of the 86 women who could remember the procedure, 78% were performed by a medically unqualified person, usually at home (71%), at a median age of seven years. Acute and chronic complications were each present in 86% of women with Type III genital mutilation. Most women (82%) were referred by their midwife because they were pregnant, of whom 48% were primigravid. Eighteen non-pregnant women also attended the clinic to request either defibulation or for advice. None of the 89 pregnant women requested re-infibulation after delivery, but almost 6% were seriously considering having their daughter undergo genital mutilation outside the United Kingdom. In addition, fewer than 10% of the women refused to continue the tradition of female genital mutilation. CONCLUSIONS: During its first year, the recently established African Well Woman Clinic has provided specialist care for 116 women with genital mutilation. Such women may attend with a variety of common medical or psychiatric conditions and often do not volunteer that they have undergone the procedure. Doctors and midwives in particular, should enquire specifically about genital mutilation when caring for women from high risk countries, and offer the services of specialist clinics for female genital mutilation.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Ritualistic female genital mutilation. The sentiment of the women].

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is considered as the most dangerous custom still ritually practiced and 2 million girls undergo the ordeal each year. This practice is anchored and fixed firmly in numerous African people's culture and Western countries are confronted to it through African immigrants. In order to understand the justifications and the consequences of FGM we interviewed 14 genitally mutilated African women living in France. Unfortunately and despite the conscious knowledge of consequences and absurd side of such practice, yet it seems to be perpetuated over the descendants. Educational approach is the best solution to fight female genital mutilation fixed firmly in numerous African people's culture.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Combating female genital mutilation: an agenda for the next decade.

Female genital mutilation (FGM)-sometimes locally referred to as "female circumcision"-is a deeply rooted traditional practice that adversely affects the health of girls and women. At present it is estimated that over 120 million girls and women have undergone some form of genital mutilation and that 2 million girls per year are at risk. Most of the girls and women affected live in 28 African countries where the prevalence of female genital mutilation is estimated to range from 5% to 98%. The elimination of female genital mutilation will not only improve women's and children's health; it will also promote gender equity and women's empowerment in the communities where the practice persists. To achieve change will require more planning, and more sustained programmes for its elimination. The political will of governments is essential in order to eliminate this harmful traditional practice and concerted efforts from all concerned are required.

Adolescent↗