Estimating the prevalence of female genital mutilation in Portugal.
OBJECTIVE
Due to globalized migratory processes, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) has spread to other countries, including countries in Europe, where, with a few exceptions, it remains a concealed problem. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first national extensive study to estimate the prevalence of FGM/C in Portugal.


METHODS
Prevalence estimation.


METHODS
Using extrapolation of country-of-origin prevalence data and the 2011 Census data, this study estimated: the prevalence of FGM/C in Portugal among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) and among all women aged ≥15 years; and the number of girls aged <15 years living in Portugal who have undergone or will probably undergo FGM/C.


RESULTS
It is estimated that 6576 women aged ≥15 years living in Portugal have undergone FGM/C, with cases distributed unevenly throughout the national territory. In addition, it is estimated that 1830 girls aged <15 years living in Portugal have undergone or are likely to undergo FGM/C.


CONCLUSIONS
This study estimated that more than 6000 women living in Portugal have undergone FGM/C, and many girls remain at risk. These two groups need different types of interventions. Awareness of the number and geographical dispersion of cases of FGM/C will enable more informed and targeted definition of public health policies for protection of females who have undergone or are at risk of undergoing FGM/C.
Centro Interdisciplinar de Ciências Sociais, Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal. Electronic address: analuciateixeira@fcsh.unl.pt.
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Teixeira
Centro Interdisciplinar de Ciências Sociais, Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
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Lisboa
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019093:Circumcision, Female / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult
Female genital cutting; Female genital mutilation; Portugal; Prevalence