Increasing certified nurse-midwives' confidence in managing the obstetric care of women with female genital mutilation/cutting.
BACKGROUND
In response to an increase in the number of women who immigrate to the United States from countries that practice female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C; infibulation), US clinicians can expand their knowledge and increase confidence in caring for women who have experienced infibulation. This article describes a comprehensive education program on FGM/C and the results of a pilot study that examined its effect on midwives' confidence in caring for women with infibulation.


METHODS
An education program was developed that included didactic information, case studies, a cultural roundtable, and a hands-on skills laboratory of deinfibulation and repair. Eleven certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) participated in this pilot study. Participants completed a measure-of-confidence survey tool before and after the education intervention.


RESULTS
Participants reported increased confidence in their ability to provide culturally competent care to immigrant women with infibulation when comparisons of preeducation and posteducation survey confidence logs were completed.


CONCLUSIONS
Following the education program and the knowledge gained from it, these midwives were more confident about their ability to perform anterior episiotomy and to deliver necessary care to women with FGM/C in a culturally competent context. This education program should be expanded as more women who have experienced infibulation immigrate to the United States.
Mount Royal University, 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. sjacoby@mtroyal.ca
Susan D
SD
Jacoby
Amy
A
Smith
D000328:Adult; D019093:Circumcision, Female; D054521:Cultural Competency; D003625:Data Collection; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D004841:Episiotomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008427:Maternal Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011361:Professional Competence; D015397:Program Evaluation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D014481:United States
cultural; deinfibulation; female circumcision; female genital mutilation/cutting; infibulation; midwives; simulated learning