Costello Susan
School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2015 Dec 15;8:225-33. doi: 10.2147/RMHP.S62091. eCollection 2015.
Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a traditional practice originating in Africa. Its worst forms cause irreparable harm to girls and women and have no medical justification. Based on a literature review of global responses to FGM/C and conversations with Australian women who migrated from FGM/C practicing countries, this paper provides some background on FGM/C and its epidemiology, outlining its prevalence, types, and health risks and complications for women and girls. It discusses risk-prevention strategies, first, for health practitioners in identifying, screening, and supporting women affected by FGM/C and, second, for welfare and social workers and health care professionals to identify, work with, and prevent girls from being cut. Consistent with international trends in addressing the risks of FGM/C, the paper suggests practice responses for coordinated responses between professionals, communities from practicing countries, and governments of different countries.
女性生殖器切割是一种起源于非洲的传统习俗。其最恶劣的形式会对女孩和妇女造成无法弥补的伤害，且毫无医学依据。基于对全球应对女性生殖器切割的文献综述以及与从实行女性生殖器切割的国家移民而来的澳大利亚女性的交谈，本文提供了一些关于女性生殖器切割及其流行病学的背景信息，概述了其在女性和女孩中的流行程度、类型以及健康风险和并发症。它讨论了风险预防策略，首先是针对医疗从业者识别、筛查和支持受女性生殖器切割影响的女性，其次是针对福利和社会工作者以及医疗保健专业人员识别、帮助并防止女孩接受切割。与应对女性生殖器切割风险的国际趋势一致，本文提出了专业人员、来自实行该习俗国家的社区以及不同国家政府之间进行协调应对的实际措施。
