Providing information about the consequences of female genital mutilation to healthcare providers caring for women and girls living with female genital mutilation: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: The persistence of female genital mutilation (FGM) in some countries, despite an overall decline in the prevalence of the practice, calls for improvement in the ca-pacity of healthcare workers and institutions to provide optimal care for this population. Objectives: To determine the impact of providing information on FGM and its consequences to healthcare providers on their attitudes toward FGM, and quality of care and patient satisfaction. Search strategy: The following major databases were searched from inception to August 2015: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov, without language restrictions. Selection criteria: Controlled studies were included based on use of objective measures. Data collection and analysis: Two team members independently screened and collected data. Relative risks and proportions were calculated and evidence assessed using the GRADE (Grade of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach. Results: One study was identified. Based on this study there was no evidence to sug-gest change in healthcare provider outcomes after the intervention. Conclusions: Despite a comprehensive search, only one study of low methodological quality was included. This precludes a definitive conclusion regarding the impact of providing information on FGM to healthcare providers. More research is needed. PROSPERO registration: CRD42015024570.