Female Genital Mutilation

Question 1

What is female genital mutilation?

Answer 1

It involves surgically changing the genitals of a female for non-medical reasons

Question 2

In which two regions of the world is female genital mutilation a common cultural practice?

Answer 2

Africa

Middle East

Question 3

What five countries have the highest rate of female genital mutilation?

Answer 3

Somalia

Sudan

Egypt

Yemen

Malia

Question 4

Which country has the highest level of female genital mutilation?

Answer 4

Somalia

Question 5

What is type one female genital mutilation? What is the name of this procedure?

Answer 5

It is defined as partial or total remove of the clitoris

This procedure is known as a clitoridectomy

Question 6

What is type two female genital mutilation?

Answer 6

It is defined as partial or total remove of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora

Question 7

What is type three female genital mutilation? What is the name of this procedure?

Answer 7

It is defined as narrowing of the vaginal orifice, through the creation of a covering seal

The seal is formed by cutting and repositioning the inner or outer labia, with or without removal of the clitoris

This procedure is known as infibulation

Question 8

What is type four female genital mutilation?

Answer 8

It is defined as all other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical reasons

Question 9

What four things indicate a patient is at risk of female genital mutilation?

Answer 9

The patient’s relatives have undergone FGM

The patient has immigrated from communities that practice FGM

The patient’s mother requests re-infibulation

The patient declines examination or cervical screening

Question 10

What are the five short term complications of female genital mutilation?

Answer 10

Pain

Infection

Bleeding

Tissue swelling

Restraining injuries

Question 11

What are the six long term complications of female genital mutilation?

Answer 11

Urinary retention

Dysmenorrhoea

Sexual dysfunction

Infertility

Psychological issues

Reduced healthcare screening

Question 12

Is female genital mutilation legal or illegal in the UK?

Answer 12

Illegal

Question 13

What legalities are stated about female genital mutilation in ‘The Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act 2005’?

Answer 13

The individuals who conduct, aid or abet the procedure can face legal prosecution

Question 14

How should healthcare professionals legally deal with female genital mutilation cases when the patient is under 18?

Answer 14

There is a legal requirement to report cases to the police and social services

Question 15

How should healthcare professionals legally deal with female genital mutilation cases when the patient is over 18?

Answer 15

There needs to be careful consideration about whether to report cases to the police or social services

It is recommended that a risk assessment tool is used to consider whether the patient has female relatives that may be at risk

In cases where an unborn child of a pregnant woman is considered to be at risk, a referral should be made

Question 16

What are the two surgical procedures used to treat female genital mutilation?

Answer 16

De-Infibulation

Re-Infibulation

Question 17

When is de-infibulation conducted?

Answer 17

It may be performed when female genital mutilation is classed as type 3

Question 18

What is de-infibulation? What are the two aims of this procedure?

Answer 18

A procedure which aims to correct the narrowing or closure of the vaginal orifice

It should improve symptoms and try to restore normal function

Question 19

When is re-infibulation conducted?

Answer 19

It may be requested by women after childbirth

Question 20

What is re-infibulation?

Answer 20

A procedure which involves the re-stitching of the vagina orifice

Question 21

Which of the two surgical procedures for female genital mutilation is illegal in the UK?

Answer 21

Re-infibulation

Question 22

Why is it important to be non-judgemental when managing cases of female genital mutilation?

Answer 22

We have to understand that the main reason for the conduction of female genital mutilation is due to social acceptance

In ethnic groups and communities, there may be adverse consequences for girls and their families if the procedure is not carried out