Factors Associated with Health Care Provider Attitudes,and Confidence for the Care of Women and Girls Affected by Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (2021)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:

Author(s): Marea CX,Warren N,Glass N,Johnson-Agbakwu C and Perrin N
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.

Objective: A cross-sectional survey of health care providers was conducted to explore the associations between health care provider characteristics,awareness of health complications of FGM/C,attitudes,and confidence for FGM/C care
Study Population: An online cross-sectional survey of health care providers at the time of registration in a workshop titled “Optimizing Care for Women and Girls Affected by FGM/C” in the Greater Phoenix and Tucson,Arizona,and Baltimore,Maryland areas.tudy participants were predominantly physicians (28%) or medical residents (48.8%),female (73.2%),and white (76.8%). About half the sample specialized in women’s health (47%),and the majority had <5 years of clinical experience (62.2%). See Table 2 for detailed participant characteristics. Most participants had previously cared for a patient with FGM/C (65.9%),although less than half had received training in how to care for women affected by FGM/C (41.5%).  Findings: A total of 796 health care providers attended training events in Arizona and 101 in Maryland for a total of 897 possible survey participants. A total of 354 health care providers completed the online survey (response rate 39.5%),of whom 164 respondents met the inclusion criteria. Study participants were predominantly physicians (28%) or medical residents (48.8%),female (73.2%),and white (76.8%). About half the sample specialized in women’s health (47%),and the majority had <5 years of clinical experience (62.2%). See Table 2 for detailed participant characteristics. Most participants had previously cared for a patient with FGM/C (65.9%),although less than half had received training in how to care for women affected by FGM/C (41.5%). Factors associated with more Confidence for Clinical FGM/C Care include awareness of health complications,ever cared for a woman with FGM/C,being a woman or person of color,and more than 5 years of clinical practice. Increased Confidence in Communication Skills for FGM/C Care was associated with awareness of more health complications for FGM/C. Women endorsed significantly less Negative Attitudes toward FGM/C compared with men; no other factors were associated with health care provider attitudes.Conclusion: Future research should further investigate factors associated with health care provider attitudes toward FGM/C and those affected by the practice to promote quality care. Health providers require adequate training for clinical FGM/C care and in the communication skills that promote patient/provider communication cross-culturally. Geographical coverage
Region(s):North America
Country(ies):United States

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