Female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) is defined as a range of procedures, often involving alteration or excision of the external female genitalia, without any medical indication. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 100-140 million women underwent FGM/C and 3 million girls are at risk every year. Although many governments recognize in FGM/C an act of violence against women with violation of human rights, the subject is debated and intertwines with cultural issues. In Africa the FGM/C prevalence in seven countries is almost universal, in 4 countries is high, while in 17 countries is medium or low. With increased immigration, health professionals practicing in countries with high immigration rates have to deal with FGM/C. This study aimed at examining the clinical records of African patients who accessed the Sexual and Domestic Assault Crisis Center of Milan (SVSeD), an Italian national center of reference, in order to evaluate the cases in which FGM/C was observed. Material and methods The SVSeD archive covered cases from January 2010 to December 2015, with 148 African patients who sustained gynecological examination. Data about demography and the arrival in Italy, type of violence, identity of the assailants, FGM/C type and photos were analyzed in order to evaluate the cases in which FGM/C was observed. Results Among the studied population, 83 women came from countries where FGM/C is traditionally practised and 43 were born in countries where FGM/C is almost universal or with high prevalence. The analysis of the clinical records showed that FGM/Cs were described and/or photographed in 8 cases, of which 7 were under 25 years of age and 6 came from countries where FGM is almost universal or the prevalence is high. The most frequent FGM type, described in 5 cases, was type III (infibulation), while type I (clitoridectomy) was described in 2 cases and type IV in 1 case. Conclusions: The number of immigrants in many European countries is increasing, leading to cultural diversification. Health professionals are therefore more likely to see women with FGM/C in clinical practice. The presented data suggest the need for a specific training in recognition of FGM/C practices. This phenomenon represents a challenge for the healthcare system and well-designed and evidence-based studies are necessary, in order to produce shared evidence-based protocols for the best multidisciplinary care of women with FGM/C.
Alessandra Kustermann, Alessia Viero, Alberto Amadasi, Alberto Blandino, Aurora Sara Vianini, Luisa Cirella, et al. (2016). Female genital mutilations: a retrospective observational study in the Rape Center of Milan.
Female genital mutilations: a retrospective observational study in the Rape Center of Milan
Alberto Amadasi;
2016
Abstract
Female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) is defined as a range of procedures, often involving alteration or excision of the external female genitalia, without any medical indication. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 100-140 million women underwent FGM/C and 3 million girls are at risk every year. Although many governments recognize in FGM/C an act of violence against women with violation of human rights, the subject is debated and intertwines with cultural issues. In Africa the FGM/C prevalence in seven countries is almost universal, in 4 countries is high, while in 17 countries is medium or low. With increased immigration, health professionals practicing in countries with high immigration rates have to deal with FGM/C. This study aimed at examining the clinical records of African patients who accessed the Sexual and Domestic Assault Crisis Center of Milan (SVSeD), an Italian national center of reference, in order to evaluate the cases in which FGM/C was observed. Material and methods The SVSeD archive covered cases from January 2010 to December 2015, with 148 African patients who sustained gynecological examination. Data about demography and the arrival in Italy, type of violence, identity of the assailants, FGM/C type and photos were analyzed in order to evaluate the cases in which FGM/C was observed. Results Among the studied population, 83 women came from countries where FGM/C is traditionally practised and 43 were born in countries where FGM/C is almost universal or with high prevalence. The analysis of the clinical records showed that FGM/Cs were described and/or photographed in 8 cases, of which 7 were under 25 years of age and 6 came from countries where FGM is almost universal or the prevalence is high. The most frequent FGM type, described in 5 cases, was type III (infibulation), while type I (clitoridectomy) was described in 2 cases and type IV in 1 case. Conclusions: The number of immigrants in many European countries is increasing, leading to cultural diversification. Health professionals are therefore more likely to see women with FGM/C in clinical practice. The presented data suggest the need for a specific training in recognition of FGM/C practices. This phenomenon represents a challenge for the healthcare system and well-designed and evidence-based studies are necessary, in order to produce shared evidence-based protocols for the best multidisciplinary care of women with FGM/C.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
