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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Knowledge, attitudes and practices of female genital mutilation/cutting among health care professionals in the Gambia: A multiethnic study
BMC Public Health, Volume 13, No. 1, Article 851, Year 2013
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Description
Background: Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a harmful traditional practice with severe consequences for the health and well-being of girls and women. Health care professionals (HCPs) are therefore expected to be aware of how to identify and manage these consequences in order to ensure that those affected by the practice receive quality health care. Moreover, their integration and legitimacy within the communities allow them to play a key role in the prevention of the practice. Nevertheless, the perception of HCPs on FGM/C has been barely explored in African contexts. This study seeks to contribute to this field of knowledge by examining the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding FGM/C among HCPs working in rural settings in The Gambia. Methods. A cross-sectional descriptive study was designed through a quantitative methodology, following a multiethnic approach. A pre-tested questionnaire with open and closed-ended questions was created. Forty medical students from the Community-based Medical Programme were trained to administer the questionnaire, face to face, at village health facilities in rural areas of The Gambia. A final sample of 468 HCPs included all nurse cadres and midwives. Results: A significant proportion of Gambian HCPs working in rural areas embraced the continuation of FGM/C (42.5%), intended to subject their own daughters to it (47.2%), and reported having already performed it during their medical practice (7.6%). However, their knowledge, attitudes, and practices were shaped by sex and ethnic identity. Women showed less approval for continuation of FGM/C and higher endorsement of the proposed strategies to prevent it than men. However, it was among ethnic groups that differences were more substantial. HCPs belonging to traditionally practicing groups were more favourable to the perpetuation and medicalisation of FGM/C, suggesting that ethnicity prevails over professional identity. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate an urgent need to build HCP's capacities for FGM/C-related complications, through strategies adapted to their specific characteristics in terms of sex and ethnicity. A culturally and gender sensitive training programme might contribute to social change, promoting the abandonment of FGM/C, avoiding medicalisation, and ensuring accurate management of its health consequences. © 2013 Kaplan et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Kaplan-Marcusán, Adriana
Spain, Cerdanyola Del Valles
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Gambia, Banjul
Ngo Wassu Gambia Kafo
Hechavarría, Suiberto
Gambia, Banjul
Cuban Medical Mission in the Gambia
Gambia, Banjul
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
Cuba, Havana
Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de la Habana
Bernal, Mariola L.
Spain, Cerdanyola Del Valles
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Bonhoure, Isabelle
Spain, Cerdanyola Del Valles
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Statistics
Citations: 49
Authors: 4
Affiliations: 5
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1186/1471-2458-13-851
e-ISSN:
14712458
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Gambia
Participants Gender
Male
Female