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Analysis of a specialist service for non-pregnant women with female genital mutilation: 2008–2019.
- Source :
-
British Journal of Midwifery . Nov2023, Vol. 31 Issue 11, p610-621. 12p. - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Background: Female genital mutilation affects an estimated 200 million women and girls worldwide. This article examines a midwife-led service that integrates health advocates and counsellors into a model of holistic woman-centred care and was the blueprint for new national clinics opened in 2019. Methods: This retrospective case note review examined referral patterns, clinical findings and interventions over 11 years at a UK specialist clinic for non-pregnant women with female genital mutilation. Results: More than 2000 consultations were conducted. Two thirds of women had type 3 mutilation. Most were Somali (73.4%) with 18 other ethnic backgrounds represented. Women presented with dysuria, dyspareunia/apareunia, dysmenorrhea, recurrent infections, post-traumatic stress disorder, nightmares, flashbacks and psychosexual issues. Interventions included deinfibulation under local anaesthetic (many as same day walk-in cases), clinical reports for asylum applications and trauma counselling. One in 10 attendees were healthcare professionals/carers. Nearly 5% were refugees/asylum seekers. There were 12 safeguarding referrals, three cases of mandatory reporting duty and two protection orders. Intersectional violence was frequently reported among women of West African origin. Conclusions: Significant numbers of non-pregnant women require specialist help. Innovative means to publicise clinics and routine enquiry during gynaecological consultations and GP registration, could ensure earlier signposting to services. Deinfibulation can be safely performed by an expert midwife in a community or outpatient setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *PUBLIC health laws
*WEST Africans
*PATIENT advocacy
*COUNSELING
*FEMALE genital mutilation
*MIDWIFERY
*DEPARTMENTS
*PATIENT-centered care
*RETROSPECTIVE studies
*PUBLIC health
*ACQUISITION of data
*HOLISTIC medicine
*MEDICAL referrals
*DESCRIPTIVE statistics
*REFUGEES
*MEDICAL records
*RESEARCH funding
*INTEGRATED health care delivery
*WOMEN'S health
*LOCAL anesthetics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09694900
- Volume :
- 31
- Issue :
- 11
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- British Journal of Midwifery
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 173420451
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2023.31.11.610