| Summary, etc. |
<h4 style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0.25em 0px 0px; text-transform: uppercase; float: left; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">OBJECTIVES:</h4><p style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">To assess the knowledge, attitude and training on female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) amongst medical and midwifery professionals working in an area of high prevalence of the condition.</p><h4 style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0.25em 0px 0px; text-transform: uppercase; float: left; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">STUDY DESIGN:</h4><p style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Prospective observational study using a questionnaire designed to assess knowledge, attitude and training received by health care professionals on the practice of FGM/C. Factors which may affect knowledge, attitude and training were compared between groups.</p><h4 style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0.25em 0px 0px; text-transform: uppercase; float: left; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">RESULTS:</h4><p style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">92.9% (n=79) questionnaires were returned. All respondents were aware of FGM/C but only 27.8% correctly identified the grade from a simple diagram. Three quarters (72.4% and 77.2% respectively) were aware of the complications of FGM/C and of the legislation in the United Kingdom. Of the respondents, 13.9% agreed that a competent adult should be allowed to consent to FGM/C if requested but only 8.9% agreed that the procedure should be medicalised to reduce the associated morbidity. Less than 25% of respondents had received formal training in recognising or managing this condition.</p><h4 style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0.25em 0px 0px; text-transform: uppercase; float: left; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">CONCLUSION:</h4><p style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Although the majority of respondents were aware of FGM/C, their ability to identify the condition and its associated morbidity remain suboptimal; more training is recommended in larger cities with a higher prevalence of this condition.</p> |