scholarly journals Female Genital Mutilation and Obstetric Outcomes in the Far-North Region, Cameroon: A Case - Control Study

Author(s):  
G. E. Halle-Ekane ◽  
N. M. N. Guidona ◽  
L. T. Mbuagbaw ◽  
A. M. Mengouo ◽  
R. E. Mbu

Various forms of Female Genital Mutilations (FGMs) have been performed for several years and continue to be practiced with serious consequences. Aims: The study aimed at assessing the socio-demographic profile, prevalence, types of FGM, and associated obstetric outcomes in the Far North Region, Cameroon. Study Design: Case-control study. Place and Duration of Study: Four health facilities in the aforementioned region from 4th February, 2017 to 28th April 2017. Methods: We included 213 parturients matched for age and parity in a proportion of 1:2 (71 with FGM and 142 counterparts). Data was collected on their socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of FGM and obstetric outcomes. Each parturient’s labor was monitored using a partograph and intermittent fetal heart rate auscultation. The mother-neonate dyads were followed up until discharge from the hospital. Data were analyzed using Epi Info™ version 7. Results: The mean age of parturients was 23.8 years (SD: 5.8 years). The prevalence of FGM was 28.7%. Most participants had FGM before the age of ten for the following reasons: cultural, marital, social acceptability and suppression of sexual desires. Female genital mutilation was significantly associated with Caesarian section (RR:2.91; 95% CI: 1.43-5.93; p=0.002), episiotomy (RR 8.0: 95% CI 1.56-17.26) P=0.03), perineal tears (RR: 3.67; 95% CI: 1.93-6.98; p<0.001), prolonged labor (RR:2.7; 95% CI 1.44-5.09; p<0.001), and neonatal resuscitation (RR:.44; 95% CI: 1.59-12.18; p=0.002). However, only perineal tears (Adjusted RR:5.58; 95% CI: 2.49-12.53; p<0.001) and episiotomy (Adjusted RR 11.52; 95% CI: 1.16-114.69; p= 0.03) were independently associated with FGM on multivariate analysis. Conclusion: The prevalence of FGM was high. FGMs were associated with maternal and fetal morbidity. Therefore, mass sensitization on the consequences of FGM, utilization of ANC services and health facility child births should be encouraged.

Author(s):  
Bakhtiar Piroozi ◽  
Cyrus Alinia ◽  
Hossein Safari ◽  
Ali Kazemi-Karyani ◽  
Ghobad Moradi ◽  
...  

BJGP Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. bjgpopen20X101105
Author(s):  
Ramin Kawous ◽  
Nigar Kerimova ◽  
Maria ETC van den Muijsenbergh

BackgroundWomen with female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) often suffer from physical and psychosexual problems related to FGM/C. As gatekeepers to the medical system, GPs are often the first to be consulted about these problems. It is as yet unknown if, and to what extent, Dutch GPs identify women with FGM/C or related health problems.AimTo investigate how often Dutch GPs register FGM/C and related health problems.Design & settingA case–control study of anonymised patient records was performed in the Netherlands.MethodMedical records were checked for information on country of origin. Records of women, aged ≥15 years, from countries where FGM/C is practised were compared with those of a case-control.ResultsAlthough many migrants were registered with the participating GPs, information on country of origin was seldom recorded. Only 68 out of 16 700 patients were identified as women from countries where FGM/C is practised; 12 out of these 68 records contained information about the FGM/C status, but none on the type of FGM/C. There were no significant differences in health problems related to FGM/C between patients with FGM/C and the controls.ConclusionFGM/C may be a blind spot for GPs and registration of information on migration background could be improved. A larger sample in a future study is needed to confirm this finding. Given the growing global migration, awareness and knowledge on FGM/C, and other migration-related health issues should be part of GP training.


Author(s):  
Pedro Hidalgo-Lopezosa ◽  
Ana María Cubero-Luna ◽  
Andrea Jiménez-Ruz ◽  
María Hidalgo-Maestre ◽  
María Aurora Rodríguez-Borrego ◽  
...  

Background: Birth plans are used for pregnant women to express their wishes and expectations about childbirth. The aim of this study was to compare obstetric and neonatal outcomes between women with and without birth plans. Methods: A multicentre, retrospective case–control study at tertiary hospitals in southern Spain between 2009 and 2013 was conducted. A total of 457 pregnant women were included, 178 with and 279 without birth plans. Women with low-risk gestation, at full-term and having been in labour were included. Sociodemographic, obstetric and neonatal variables were analysed and comparisons were established. Results: Women with birth plans were older, more educated and more commonly primiparous. Caesarean sections were less common in primiparous women with birth plans (18% vs. 29%, p = 0.027); however, no significant differences were found in instrumented births, 3rd–4th-degree tears or episiotomy rates. Newborns of primiparous women with birth plans obtained better results on 1 min Apgar scores, umbilical cord pH and advanced neonatal resuscitation. No significant differences were found on 5 min Apgar scores or other variables for multiparous women. Conclusions: Birth plans were related to less intervention, a more natural process of birth and better outcomes for mothers and newborns. Birth plans can improve the welfare of the mother and newborn, leading to birth in a more natural way.


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