Legal Awareness and Practices of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) among United Arab Emirates Medical Practitioners

Bibliographic Data

ID15465992
AuthorsShamsa Al Awar (0000-0002-0452-7024, United Arab Emirates University), Kornelia Zaręba (0000-0002-8262-4380, United Arab Emirates University, corresponding author), Gehan Sallam (0000-0002-3978-0505, United Arab Emirates University), Gehan Sayed Sallam (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain 17666, United Arab Emirates), Nawal Osman (0000-0003-1362-4093, United Arab Emirates University), Teodora Ucenic (0009-0002-1548-3984, United Arab Emirates University), Howaida Khair (0000-0002-3486-4638, United Arab Emirates University), Suzan Al Shdefat (0000-0001-7014-5430, Jordan University of Science and Technology), Hadya Abboud Abdel Fattah (0000-0001-6461-3496), Hadya Abdel Fattah (Nursing Department, Fatima College of Health Sciences, Al Ain P.O. Box. 24162, United Arab Emirates), Sara Maki (United Arab Emirates University)
Year2023
Volume20
Issue6
Pages4710-4710
Publication date2023-03-07
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph20064710
PMID36981617
OpenAlexW4323568516
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited27

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), due to its regional occurrence, is a marginalized issue in the international arena. The aim of the study was to verify reasons for performing a procedure prohibited by international and domestic law. A cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses and doctors practicing in the UAE. The study was conducted from the 1 of January 2020 to the 31 of December 2021. The total number of recruited individuals who agreed to participate was 120, with the rate of return being 82%. About half of the participants ( n = 59, 49.2%) have seen FGM/C patients in their UAE practice. Regarding medical staff, the total knowledge score concerning possible complications of the performed procedure was assessed at 64%, i.e., at a moderate level. None of our study participants had previously performed any type of FGM/C. However, 6.7% were willing to do it upon a mother's or guardian's request. About 83% of study participants stated that FGM/C should be halted internationally. Only 26.7% of the medical practitioners were aware of UAE law concerning FGM/C, while 50% had no knowledge concerning this issue. The present study reveals that cultural conditions take priority over medical knowledge, making medical practitioners inclined to accept the circumcision of girls and women. The crucial goals of future activities should focus on sensitizing society and the medical community, the need to create clear laws penalizing the practice, and the legal obligation to report the circumcision of a girl or woman

Family medicine · Female circumcision · Focus group · Guardian · Gynecology · Obligation · Political science · Sociology · Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Issues · Genital Health and Disease · Law · Law in Society and Culture · Medicine · Nursing