María Del Mar Pastor-Bravo1, Pilar Almansa-Martínez2, Ismael Jiménez-Ruiz2. 1. Nursing Department, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain; IMIB-Arrixaca. Instituto Murciano de investigación Biosanitaria Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain; GLOMHI-Global Migration & Health Initiative, Toronto, Canada. Electronic address: mariadelmar.pastorbravo@utoronto.ca. 2. Nursing Department, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain; IMIB-Arrixaca. Instituto Murciano de investigación Biosanitaria Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Female genital mutilation is a health and human rights issue which extends to western countries. It is estimated that there are some seventeen thousand women and girls living in Spain who have either been mutilated or are at risk of being so. Healthcare professionals face the challenge of providing adequate care in response to this emerging problem. AIM: To discover the repercussions of female genital mutilation on the health of sub-Saharan women residing in Spain, as well as the healthcare received. METHODS: A life-history qualitative research design was utilized. The study population included 14 genitally mutilated women residing in the Region of Murcia who had given birth in Spain and been attended to by the national public healthcare system. RESULTS: Women suffer physical, psychological, obstetric and sexual health issues as a result of female genital mutilation and despite having a favourable perception of the healthcare received during the pregnancy and the delivery, the provision of health education, detection and treatment of female genital mutilation by healthcare professionals was seen to be lacking. CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare policy must address insufficiencies in delivering adequate care to immigrant women who have been the victim of female genital mutilation by implementing the necessary resources and training for professionals to effectively meet the specific healthcare needs of this population and prevent this cruel practice from being perpetuated.
INTRODUCTION: Female genital mutilation is a health and human rights issue which extends to western countries. It is estimated that there are some seventeen thousand women and girls living in Spain who have either been mutilated or are at risk of being so. Healthcare professionals face the challenge of providing adequate care in response to this emerging problem. AIM: To discover the repercussions of female genital mutilation on the health of sub-Saharan women residing in Spain, as well as the healthcare received. METHODS: A life-history qualitative research design was utilized. The study population included 14 genitally mutilated women residing in the Region of Murcia who had given birth in Spain and been attended to by the national public healthcare system. RESULTS: Women suffer physical, psychological, obstetric and sexual health issues as a result of female genital mutilation and despite having a favourable perception of the healthcare received during the pregnancy and the delivery, the provision of health education, detection and treatment of female genital mutilation by healthcare professionals was seen to be lacking. CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare policy must address insufficiencies in delivering adequate care to immigrant women who have been the victim of female genital mutilation by implementing the necessary resources and training for professionals to effectively meet the specific healthcare needs of this population and prevent this cruel practice from being perpetuated.
Authors: Laura Gombau-Giménez; Pilar Almansa-Martínez; María Suarez-Cortés; Alonso Molina-Rodríguez; César Leal-Costa; Ismael Jiménez-Ruiz Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-08-16 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Alba González-Timoneda; Marta González-Timoneda; Antonio Cano Sánchez; Vicente Ruiz Ros Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-07-05 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Ousmane Berthe-Kone; María Isabel Ventura-Miranda; Sara María López-Saro; Jessica García-González; José Granero-Molina; María Del Mar Jiménez-Lasserrotte; Cayetano Fernández-Sola Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-12-18 Impact factor: 3.390