Breast Ironing from the Perspective of Transcultural Nursing by Madeleine Leininger: A Narrative Review

(1) Background: This article addresses the harmful traditional practice of breast ironing, which primarily affects girls and adolescents in several countries, particularly in Cameroon. The practice involves applying heat and pressure to developing breasts to delay their growth, with the goal of prot...

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Published in:Nursing reports (Pavia, Italy) Italy), 2024-12, Vol.14 (4), p.3677-3688
Main Authors: Cárdaba-García, Rosa M, Velasco-Gonzalez, Veronica, Cárdaba-García, Inés, Pérez-Pérez, Lucía, Durantez-Fernández, Carlos, Muñoz-Del Caz, Alba, Soto-Cámara, Raúl, Aparicio-García, Marta Evelia, Madrigal, Miguel, Pérez, Inmaculada
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abused women
Analysis
breast ironing
Breasts
Cultural differences
cultural practices
Females
Forced marriage
Gender-based violence
Genital mutilation
Girls
Health aspects
Honor killings
Human rights
International organizations
Library catalogs
Medical ethics
Medical law
Multiculturalism & pluralism
Nurses
Nursing care
Reproductive rights
Sexual abuse
Teenage pregnancy
transcultural disease
Values
violence against women
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Summary:(1) Background: This article addresses the harmful traditional practice of breast ironing, which primarily affects girls and adolescents in several countries, particularly in Cameroon. The practice involves applying heat and pressure to developing breasts to delay their growth, with the goal of protecting girls from sexual abuse, early pregnancy, and forced marriages. While culturally accepted, breast ironing has severe physical, psychological, and social consequences, including damage to mammary glands, pain, infections, and potential long-term health complications. (2) Methods: A reflective analysis of the topic was conducted through a comprehensive search of various databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and CINAHL) following narrative review methodology. (3) Results: The practice is also examined through the lens of human rights and Madeleine Leininger's transcultural nursing theory, which promotes respect for cultural traditions in healthcare. However, the authors question whether such a theory can justify practices that violate women's physical integrity. (4) Conclusions: This study concludes that while cultural beliefs must be considered in healthcare, human rights and the elimination of violent practices, such as breast ironing, must take precedence. Educational campaigns and a more punitive approach in countries where this practice occurs are proposed as essential steps forward.
ISSN:2039-4403
2039-439X
2039-4403
DOI:10.3390/nursrep14040269