Peer-reviewed article
Knowledge, attitudes, and practice of female genital mutilation and cutting: an observational cross-sectional study in English primary care (FGM/C Study).
Robinson ME, Prior J, Mallen CD, Shepherd TA ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study surveyed primary care doctors and nurses in England's West Midlands about their knowledge, attitudes and ability to manage female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C). Most respondents (91.3%) had received some training, but over one-third felt their training was inadequate. About one-fifth of clinicians had seen at least one FGM/C patient in the past year. The findings show variable competence among primary care staff in recognising and managing FGM/C cases, highlighting the need for better, more consistent training.
Key points
- 19.7% of surveyed primary care clinicians had seen more than one patient with FGM/C in the past 12 months
- 91.3% of respondents had received some form of FGM/C training, but 34.3% felt the training was inadequate
- Training format and frequency varied considerably across respondents
- Study participants were predominantly female (81.8%) and GPs (59.9%), with mean age 47.3 years
- Varying degrees of competence and confidence in recognising and managing FGM/C patients were identified
Limitations
This was a cross-sectional survey with 137 responses from one UK region, so findings may not represent all primary care staff nationally or internationally. The study measures self-reported knowledge and attitudes rather than observed clinical competence, and does not evaluate outcomes for children or women with FGM/C.
Abstract
Background Female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C) describes procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. Increasing migration means many communities living in the UK originate from countries where FGM/C is practised. Consequently, clinicians in the UK are increasingly exposed to women and children who have experienced FGM/C. Aim To explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practice of primary care GPs and practice nurses (PNs) regarding FGM/C. Design & setting An observational cross-sectional study with GPs and PNs working in primary care in the West Midlands, UK. Method An online survey was circulated to GPs and PNs between September 2019 and December 2019. Results A total of 137 survey responses were received. Study participants were predominantly female (81.8%) and GPs (59.9%), with a mean age of 47.3 years (standard deviation [SD] 9.1). The survey found 19.7% of responders reported seeing >1 patient with FGM/C in the past 12 months. It also found 91.3% of responders had received some form of FGM/C training; however, the format and frequency of training varied and 34.3% felt they had received inadequate training to manage treatment of FGM/C. Conclusion The results have suggested varying degrees of competence and confidence associated with recognising and managing patients with FGM/C in primary care in the West Midlands. Given that patients with FGM/C typically present in primary care, it is important that clinicians can provide appropriate support underpinned by up-to-date training.