Female genital mutilation: Survey of paediatricians’ knowledge, attitudes and practice

• Published in: Child abuse & neglect 2016-05, Vol.55, p.1-9
• Main Authors: Sureshkumar, Premala, Zurynski, Yvonne, Moloney, Susan, Raman, Shanti, Varol, Nesrin, Elliott, Elizabeth J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Australia; Awareness; Child Abuse; Child abuse & neglect; Circumcision, Female - psychology; Clinical Competence - standards; Clinical Experience; Educational Needs; Female; Female circumcision; Female genital mutilation; Guidelines; Health education; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Policy; Humans; Knowledge and attitudes; Male; Medical education; Middle Aged; National Surveys; Paediatric practice; Pediatricians - psychology; Pediatrics; Pediatrics - education; Pediatrics - standards; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Practice Patterns, Physicians' - statistics & numerical data; Psychiatry; Sex Factors; State Surveys
• ISSN: 0145-2134; 1873-7757
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2016.03.005

Abstract The study objective was to determine paediatricians’ experience with female genital mutilation (FGM) in Australian children and adolescents. A cross-sectional, pilot-tested national survey of paediatricians practising in Australia and contributing to the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit was conducted. Clinicians’ knowledge, attitudes and clinical experience with FGM, awareness of clinical guidelines and education/training needs were recorded. Of 1311 paediatricians surveyed, 497 (38%) responded. 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