title: Female genital cutting: a survey among healthcare professionals in Italy.
abstract: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge of female genital cutting (FGC) in a tertiary teaching hospital in Italy. A survey questionnaire on FGC was given to paediatricians, nurses, midwives, gynaecologists and residents in paediatrics and gynaecology in a tertiary teaching hospital in Italy. The results of the survey were then analysed. The results showed that 71.5% (73/102) of healthcare professionals dealt with patients presenting with FGC. Gynaecologists (83%) and paediatric nurses (75%) were the only ones who declared to be aware of Italian law on FGC. In detail, 55% of midwives, 50% of paediatricians, 50% of paediatrician residents and 28.5% of gynaecological residents were aware of this law. The general knowledge of Italian National Guidelines on FGC is even worse: most professionals are not aware of protocols of action. Considering the increasing extension of FGC due to immigration, improvement of care through specialised education of healthcare providers is mandatory.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Eastern Piedmont , Novara , Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Surico
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Amadori
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Gastaldo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tinelli
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Surico
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019093:Circumcision, Female / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000145:classification / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D007878:Legislation as Topic; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: FGC Italian law; FGC guidelines; Female genital cutting; female genital mutilation; professionals survey