Interventions for healthcare providers to improve treatment and prevention of female genital mutilation: a systematic review. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Balfour, Julie; Abdulcadir, Jasmine; Say, Lale; Hindin, Michelle
• Is Part Of: BMC health services research. Volume 16:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 6
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Female genital mutilation -- Female genital cutting -- Female genital mutilation/cutting -- Caregivers -- Prevention -- Healthcare professionals; Public health -- Research -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Research -- Periodicals; 362.1072
• DOI: 10.1186/s12913-016-1674-1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-6963

Abstract

Abstract Background Studies on healthcare providers' awareness, knowledge and attitudes regarding female genital mutilation (FGM) have shown a lack of awareness of the prevalence, diagnosis, and management of FGM. Our objective was to systematically review the literature on interventions improving healthcare providers' capacities of prevention and treatment of FGM. Methods Systematic review of the published and grey literature on interventions aimed at improving healthcare providers' capacities of prevention and treatment of FGM (1995–2015). Outcomes observed were knowledge and attitudes about FGM, medicalization, and prevention. Results Only two studies met our inclusion criteria. They reported on educational interventions aimed at increasing caregivers' knowledge on FGM. One was conducted with 59 providers, in Mali; the other one with 11 certified nurse-midwives in the United States. The studies report basic statistics regarding the improvement of healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitude on FGM and medicalization of the practice. Neither conducted multivariable analysis nor evaluated the training effects on the quality of the care offered, the clinical outcomes and the satisfaction of women attended, and prevention. Conclusion As health care providers are essential in prevention and treatment of FGM, developing effective interventions is crucial.