Medisinske komplikasjoner og helseadferd blant kvinner med kjønnslemlestelse

ABSTRACT Problem and background: According to the WHO, more than 200 million girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) (1). Estimates indicate that 17,300 of these women live in Norway (2). A systematic review in 2014 concluded that women with FGM are more likely than woman without FGM to experience urogenital ailments (3). I want to investigate to what extent women with FGM seek help for FGM-related ailments. In particular , I will illuminate it by investigating if patiens had ailments prior to the visit to the specialist clinic without seeking help. I also want to compare the ailments mentioned in the referral to the those stated during the consultation at the specialist clinic. Results: I collected data from 204 patient records. 200 patients had undergone FGM of which 145 suffered urogenital ailments. Regardless of referral reason, a number of urogenital ailments were reported. It indicates that woman with FGM suffer from complications and health problems for a long time without seeking help. Conclution: In countries practicing FGM, complications are considered part of female life, making it difficult to reach this group of patients, even in a Western country where health care services are easily available. By investigating the reasons why these women reluctantly seek help, improved health care can be achieved. Still, to succeed the willingness to change must be present in the affected communities