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Citation
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Martínez-Linares JM, López-Entrambasaguas OM, Fernández-Medina IM, Berthe-Kone O, Fernández-Sola C, Jiménez-Lasserrotte MDM, Hernández-Padilla JM, Canet-Vélez O. J. Clin. Nurs. 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub. |
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Abstract
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AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe and understand the lived experiences and opinions of sub-Saharan women living in Spain in relation to female genital mutilation.
BACKGROUND: Female genital mutilation is a bloody procedure with serious consequences for the health of women and girls. Understanding mutilated women's lived experiences plays a crucial role in the management of health consequences and could help healthcare professionals to provide assistance to these women.
DESIGN: A descriptive phenomenological study was carried out. The COREQ checklist was followed as guidance to write the manuscript.
METHODS: A total of 12 in-depth interviews were conducted. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using ATLAS.ti 9.0.
RESULTS: Two themes with four subthemes were identified from the data analysis: 1) 'The traumatic experience of female circumcision' with the subthemes 'Female mutilation is a physical and psychological torture procedure' and 'recognising and coping with negative emotions'; 2) 'The fight for the eradication of female genital mutilation' which contains the subthemes 'the need for a real sociocultural change at the origin' and '"I want to be the last": Personal development leads to sociocultural change'.
CONCLUSIONS: Female genital mutilation was experienced by women as a very aggressive and traumatic event. It causes considerable negative emotions that last over time. Although there is a tendency to reject the practice, in women's countries of origin, there is social pressure for girls to be mutilated. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Caring for women who have suffered from female genital mutilation requires awareness of the traumatic experience they underwent when they were girls. Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in eradicating female genital mutilation. Apart from education, preventive measures may include specific recommendations when girls are travelling to the country of origin and participatory action research.
Language: en |