Program

Nurse-Midwifery M.S.

Year Approved

2017

First Advisor

Missal , Bernita

Abstract

Background: Around the world, immigration is part of many people’s lives. In that context, obstetric healthcare providers must be ready to deliver culturally sensitive care to women of different backgrounds. Some of these women have undergone female genital circumcision (FGC). As a result, they have unique healthcare needs. Purpose: Conduct a critical literature review designed to discover and evaluate culturally holistic care guidelines being used to provide healthcare to women who have undergone FGC. Results: There is a lack of clinical guidelines for healthcare providers as they care for circumcised women. Randomized controlled trials are not being done due to ethical issues that could arise. Providers believe that the lack of evidence-based guidance can make it difficult to know the best way to provide healthcare to circumcised women. Conclusions: Healthcare providers need more information about FGC. They need education on the types of FGC and its possible complications, and they need guidelines for providing quality, culturally sensitive and holistic care to circumcised women. These guidelines do not exist in the United States and must be created. Implications for Research and Practice: The findings support future research directed toward creation of clinical guidelines for the care of circumcised female patients, and toward development of healthcare education programs. Guidelines and education will help obstetric practitioners to provide quality, culturally sensitive and holistic care.

Degree Name

M.S. Nurse-Midwifery

Document Type

Masterʼs thesis

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