Female genital mutilation: Survey of paediatriciansā knowledge,attitudes and practice (2016)
This study is a Exploratory research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Sureshkumar Premala,Yvonne Zurynski,Susan Moloney,Shanti Raman,Nesrin Varol,and Elizabeth J. Elliott
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: To determine paediatriciansā experience with female genital mutilation (FGM) in Australian children and adolescents.
Study Population: Paediatricians practising in Australia and contributing to the Australian Paediatric
Surveillance Unit was conducted
Findings: Fifty-seven percent were aged 50 years or more,and 51.3% were males. Over half believed that FGM was performed in children in Australia and most were aware of its complications,but few asked about or examined for FGM. Fifty (10.3%) had seen at least one case of FGM in girls aged <18 years during their clinical career,including 16 (3.3%) in the past 5 years. Most were aware that FGM is illegal in Australia (93.9%),agreed all types of FGM were harmful (97.4%) and agreed that FGM violated human rights (98.2%). Most (87.6%) perceived FGM as a traditional cultural practice,although 11.6% thought it was required by religion. The majority (81.8%) knew notification of FGM to child protection authorities was mandatory. Over half (62.0%) were aware of the WHO Statement on FGM,but only 22.0% knew the WHO classification of FGM. These novel data indicate a minority of paediatricians in Australia have clinical experience with or education about FGM. Educational programs,best-practice clinical guidelines and policies are required to address knowledge gaps and help paediatricians identify,manage and prevent FGM in children.
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Australia and New Zealand
Country(ies):Australia