Female Genital Mutilation: Health Consequences and Complications—A Short Literature Review

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a procedure performed on women in developing countries and is underreported; it involves cutting or altering the female genitalia. The health consequences of FGM include bacterial and viral infections, obstetrical complications, and psychological problems. In this...

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Main Authors: Elliot Klein, Elizabeth Helzner, Michelle Shayowitz, Stephan Kohlhoff, Tamar A. Smith-Norowitz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2018-01-01
Series:Obstetrics and Gynecology International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/7365715
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author Elliot Klein
Elizabeth Helzner
Michelle Shayowitz
Stephan Kohlhoff
Tamar A. Smith-Norowitz
author_facet Elliot Klein
Elizabeth Helzner
Michelle Shayowitz
Stephan Kohlhoff
Tamar A. Smith-Norowitz
author_sort Elliot Klein
collection DOAJ
description Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a procedure performed on women in developing countries and is underreported; it involves cutting or altering the female genitalia. The health consequences of FGM include bacterial and viral infections, obstetrical complications, and psychological problems. In this study, we report FGM societal importance, ramifications, classifications, cultural significance, prevalence, complications, implications, and treatment. Although efforts have been made to eradicate FGM, the dynamics that perpetuate the practice have societal roots. Intervention methods to promote change from within the community are necessary for successful eradication of the practice. For prevention, further studies are needed to develop programs that raise awareness.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1687-9589
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language English
publishDate 2018-01-01
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series Obstetrics and Gynecology International
spelling doaj-art-0e790cba614043d79b967f55762abf552025-02-03T05:58:14ZengWileyObstetrics and Gynecology International1687-95891687-95972018-01-01201810.1155/2018/73657157365715Female Genital Mutilation: Health Consequences and Complications—A Short Literature ReviewElliot Klein0Elizabeth Helzner1Michelle Shayowitz2Stephan Kohlhoff3Tamar A. Smith-Norowitz4Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USADepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USADepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USADepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USADepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USAFemale genital mutilation (FGM) is a procedure performed on women in developing countries and is underreported; it involves cutting or altering the female genitalia. The health consequences of FGM include bacterial and viral infections, obstetrical complications, and psychological problems. In this study, we report FGM societal importance, ramifications, classifications, cultural significance, prevalence, complications, implications, and treatment. Although efforts have been made to eradicate FGM, the dynamics that perpetuate the practice have societal roots. Intervention methods to promote change from within the community are necessary for successful eradication of the practice. For prevention, further studies are needed to develop programs that raise awareness.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/7365715
spellingShingle Elliot Klein
Elizabeth Helzner
Michelle Shayowitz
Stephan Kohlhoff
Tamar A. Smith-Norowitz
Female Genital Mutilation: Health Consequences and Complications—A Short Literature Review
Obstetrics and Gynecology International
title Female Genital Mutilation: Health Consequences and Complications—A Short Literature Review
title_full Female Genital Mutilation: Health Consequences and Complications—A Short Literature Review
title_fullStr Female Genital Mutilation: Health Consequences and Complications—A Short Literature Review
title_full_unstemmed Female Genital Mutilation: Health Consequences and Complications—A Short Literature Review
title_short Female Genital Mutilation: Health Consequences and Complications—A Short Literature Review
title_sort female genital mutilation health consequences and complications a short literature review
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/7365715
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AT stephankohlhoff femalegenitalmutilationhealthconsequencesandcomplicationsashortliteraturereview
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