FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION: KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES OF FLEMISH MIDWIVES
Inge Tency
Odisee University College
Inge Tency graduated as a midwife (1999). Subsequently, she started a master in Medical Social Science, option health education and promotion at Ghent University (2002) and obtained a teaching certificate (2003). She combined her studies with a job as midwife and became a scientific collaborator of the skills lab at the faculty of medicine of Ghent University. In 2005 she leaved clinical practice and worked on diverse scientific projects at the Women’s Clinic of Ghent University Hospital. In June 2013 she defended her PhD on “Inflammatory response in maternal serum during preterm labor”. Currently she works as a lecturer and researcher at the Midwifery and Nursing Department at Odisee University College (Sint-Niklaas, Belgium). Inge is interested in the following research domains: preterm birth, abortions, spontaneous miscarriage, female genital mutilation, postpartum, involvement of partners, mobile health, telemonitoring, online health care and support, sense of coherence, quality of live and person-centered care.
Abstract
Background Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a harmful, socio-cultural embedded practice with important impact on women’s health and quality of life. It has been estimated that 48092 girls and women, originated from... [ view full abstract ]
Background
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a harmful, socio-cultural embedded practice with important impact on women’s health and quality of life. It has been estimated that 48092 girls and women, originated from countries were FGM is practiced, are living in Belgium. Studies have demonstrated that Belgian gynecologists and midwives are confronted with women with or at risk for FGM. However, little is known about the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of midwives regarding FGM.
Aims and objectives
The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude an practices of Flemish midwives regarding FGM
Method
A quantitative descriptive study was conducted between October 2012 and March 2013, using a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire. The study population consisted of all midwives, actively working on labor wards, postnatal wards and maternal intensive care units (MIC) in 65 hospitals in the Northern region of Belgium (n=2304). The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Ghent University Hospital (EC/2012/600). By completing the questionnaire, the participants automatically agreed to the terms of the study.
Findings
Eight hundred and twenty valid questionnaires (40,9%) were returned. More than fifteen percent of the respondents were recently confronted with FGM. About 51.6% were faced with complications caused by FGM, mainly the psycho-sexual consequences. Few midwives were aware of existing guidelines regarding FGM (3,5%) and only 20,4% knew of the exact content of the law. The majority of midwives condemned the harmful traditional practice: FGM was experienced as a form of violence against women or a violation of human rights. Only 25,9% declared that FGM forms a part of their midwifery program. The vast majority of respondents (92,5%) indicated a need for more training regarding FGM.
Conclusions and implications
This study indicates that Flemish midwives are confronted with FGM and its complications and highlights the gaps in knowledge on FGM. This may interfere with the provision of adequate care and prevention of FGM for the newborn daughter and underlines the need for appropriate training of (student)midwives regarding FGM as well as for the development and dissemination of clear guidelines in Flemish hospitals.
Authors
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Inge Tency
(Odisee University College)
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Els Clays
(Ghent University)
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Els Leye
(Ghent University, International Centre for Reproductive Health (ICRH))
Topic Area
Maternity Care
Session
PP-WT » Posters: Wednesday and Thursday (13:30 - Wednesday, 4th November, Outside Seminar Room 1.10)
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