BMC Women's Health (Mar 2024)

The need for and acceptability of a curriculum to train nursing and medical students in the sexual healthcare of clients with female genital mutilation/cutting in Tanzania

  • Dorkasi L. Mwakawanga,
  • Agnes F. Massae,
  • Nidhi Kohli,
  • Gift Gadiel Lukumay,
  • Corissa T. Rohloff,
  • Stella Emmanuel Mushy,
  • Lucy R. Mgopa,
  • Dickson Ally Mkoka,
  • Ever Mkonyi,
  • Maria Trent,
  • Michael W. Ross,
  • B. R. Simon Rosser,
  • Jennifer Connor

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-03034-x
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 24, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Abstract Background Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is tied to one of the most conservative cultures in the Mediterranean and Sub-Saharan Africa. More than 200 million girls and women in 30 African, Asian and the middle Eastern countries have undergone FGM/C. However, healthcare professionals are not adequately trained to prevent and manage FGM/C-related complications including sexual health problems. This study aimed to assess the need and acceptability of a curriculum to train nursing and medical students in the sexual healthcare of clients with FGM/C in Tanzania. Methods We used a descriptive and cross sectional study design to collect and analyse information from 271 medical and 137 nursing students in Tanzania. A Qualtrics online survey was used to obtain quantitative data on training interest, previous training received, and the curriculum delivery method. Open-ended questions were used to explore their insights on significance to obtain the necessary competencies to treat and prevent FGM/C. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic approach. Results Almost half of the participants reported they had little to no training in sexual healthcare for women with FGM/C (47%). In all, 82.4% reported the training to be acceptable. Following thematic analysis of open-ended questions, participants expressed a desire to improve their competencies to meet the current and future sexual and psychological health needs of women and girls who have undergone FGM/C. Conclusion It is a necessary and acceptable to develop a curriculum to train healthcare students to diagnose, treat and prevent sexual health complications related to FGM/C. In our study, designing a culturally sensitive curriculum and its delivery method, that includes practical sessions with simulated patients, was considered the most beneficial and favorable.

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