Title:
Is Female Genital Mutilation Discussed by General Practitioners in The Netherlands? Underlying Factors Revealed
Authors:
Penning, Marlies
Place:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Publisher:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute [etc.]
Year:
2022
PAGE:
51
Language:
En
Subject:
Maternal Health – Lessons Learned
Keywords:
Female Genital Mutilation, General Practitioners, Primary Health Care
Abstract:
Introduction The GP in the Netherlands might often be the first to be confronted with patients who have undergone Female Genital Mutilation and/ or Cutting (FGM/C), and - as a result - experience health problems. However, it is unknown if GPs in The Netherlands discuss FGM/C with patients and women (at risk) of FGM/C, and whether they experience challenges. Unravelling these challenges, needs and underlying mechanisms will give us important understanding on how to improve the services of GPs in The Netherlands towards these women. Therefore, the first aim of this study was to describe if and how often GPs discuss FGM/C during consultations. Secondly, we aimed to analyze the self-reported knowledge about FGM/C. Thirdly, we aimed to explore specific self-reported factors that can enable or hamper discussing FGM/C during the GP consultation. Methods This study was part of a bigger ZonMw project, of which this questionnaire for GPs was a sub study. The other sub-studies are a Vignette Study and Focus Group discussions with both professionals and patients. In the current study, an online survey was performed in two regions; Amsterdam-Amstelland and Gelderland-Zuid. We aimed to reach all GPs in the two regions (n=483) via e-mail and other media channels. The participants were GPs, or other medical professionals working in general practice. The questionnaire contained both closed and open questions. The answers on the open questions were coded manually and analyzed thematically. Results Almost half (49%) of all the participants (n=51) had experience with discussing FGM/C, and more GPs with experience of addressing FGM/C worked in region Amsterdam-Amstelland as compared to Gelderland-Zuid. Various underlying factors were identified that were associated with whether or not GPs discuss FGM/C, such as patient characteristics, self-reported knowledge and skills of GPs, awareness of the risk of FGM/C for family members, and use of external help from key persons or interpreters. Conclusion There is room for improvement for GPs to discuss FGM/C. Investing in knowledge and skills of GPs to discuss FGM/C will help discussing this important subject. Involving key persons in the 7 training of GP(registrars) on cultural competence and FGM/C in general will be useful. Furthermore, promoting an appointment for an intake for new patients (originating from FGM/C risk countries) by GPs will improve the relationship between the two and thereby enhance the possibilities of discussing FGM/C. These issues will be further deepened in the other sub studies (Vignette Study and Focus Group discussions) of the ZonMw project.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute , VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Country:
The Netherlands
Region:
Northwestern Europe
Training:
Master of Science in International Health
Category:
Research
Right:
@ 2022 Penning
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
SzwHY06Qx3_20230509103347713.pdf