Midwives' experiences of caring for women with female genital mutilation: Insights and ways forward for practice in Australia

Dawson, AJ; Turkmani, S; Varol, N; Nanayakkara, S; Sullivan, E; Homer, CSE

Midwives' experiences of caring for women with female genital mutilation: Insights and ways forward for practice in Australia

Dawson, AJ

Turkmani, S

Varol, N Nanayakkara, S Sullivan, E

Homer, CSE

Permalink

Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Women and Birth, 2015, 28 (3), pp. 207 - 214
Issue Date:: 2015-09-01

Open Access

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Open Access

This item is open access.

Microsoft Word XML

Download full textMicrosoft Word XML (106.61 kB)

View on publisher's site

View statistics

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Dawson, AJ https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0926-2202	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Turkmani, S https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7819-5061	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Varol, N	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Nanayakkara, S	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Sullivan, E https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8718-2753	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Homer, CSE https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7454-3011	en_US
dc.date.available	2020-05-25T19:05:57Z
dc.date.issued	2015-09-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Women and Birth, 2015, 28 (3), pp. 207 - 214	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1871-5192	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/34228
dc.description.abstract	© 2015 Australian College of Midwives. Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) has serious health consequences, including adverse obstetric outcomes and significant physical, sexual and psychosocial complications for girls and women. Migration to Australia of women with FGM from high-prevalence countries requires relevant expertise to provide women and girls with FGM with specialised health care. Midwives, as the primary providers of women during pregnancy and childbirth, are critical to the provision of this high quality care. Aim: To provide insight into midwives' views of, and experiences working with, women affected by FGM. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was undertaken using focus group discussions with midwives from four purposively selected antenatal clinics and birthing units in three hospitals in urban New South Wales. The transcripts were analysed thematically. Findings: Midwives demonstrated knowledge and recalled skills in caring for women with FGM. However, many lacked confidence in these areas. Participants expressed fear and a lack of experience caring for women with FGM. Midwives described practice issues, including the development of rapport with women, working with interpreters, misunderstandings about the culture of women, inexperience with associated clinical procedures and a lack of knowledge about FGM types and data collection. Conclusion: Midwives require education, training and supportive supervision to improve their skills and confidence when caring for women with FGM. Community outreach through improved antenatal and postnatal home visitation can improve the continuity of care provided to women with FGM.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Women and Birth	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.wombi.2015.01.007	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy Complications	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Circumcision, Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Delivery, Obstetric	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Focus Groups	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Nurse's Role	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Nurse-Patient Relations	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Midwifery	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	New South Wales	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Young Adult	en_US
dc.title	Midwives' experiences of caring for women with female genital mutilation: Insights and ways forward for practice in Australia	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	3	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	28	en_US
utslib.for	1110 Nursing	en_US
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Public Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - WHO CC
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	3	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	28	en_US

Abstract:

© 2015 Australian College of Midwives. Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) has serious health consequences, including adverse obstetric outcomes and significant physical, sexual and psychosocial complications for girls and women. Migration to Australia of women with FGM from high-prevalence countries requires relevant expertise to provide women and girls with FGM with specialised health care. Midwives, as the primary providers of women during pregnancy and childbirth, are critical to the provision of this high quality care. Aim: To provide insight into midwives' views of, and experiences working with, women affected by FGM. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was undertaken using focus group discussions with midwives from four purposively selected antenatal clinics and birthing units in three hospitals in urban New South Wales. The transcripts were analysed thematically. Findings: Midwives demonstrated knowledge and recalled skills in caring for women with FGM. However, many lacked confidence in these areas. Participants expressed fear and a lack of experience caring for women with FGM. Midwives described practice issues, including the development of rapport with women, working with interpreters, misunderstandings about the culture of women, inexperience with associated clinical procedures and a lack of knowledge about FGM types and data collection. Conclusion: Midwives require education, training and supportive supervision to improve their skills and confidence when caring for women with FGM. Community outreach through improved antenatal and postnatal home visitation can improve the continuity of care provided to women with FGM.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/34228