Obstetric Complications in Women from Sub-Saharan Africa-A Cross-Sectional Study

AIM

The aim of this study was to identify and compare birthing complications in women originating from countries where they are at risk (may become victims) of FGM with those of Spanish women, all having given birth from 2012 to 2015 at the "Virgen de la Arrixaca" University Clinical Hospital in Murcia, Spain.

METHODS

A transversal, observational, quantitative study was carried out, retrospectively, comparing 245 sub-Saharan women originating from countries where FGM is practiced with 490 Spanish women, in terms of obstetric complications. Data collection was performed via electronic clinical records.

RESULTS

The sub-Saharan women presented higher rates of intrapartum and emergency caesareans, intense postpartum haemorrhages, concurrent episiotomies and tears (2nd and 3rd degree), failed inductions, and non-progressive labours, and a more severe risk of foetal distress when compared with Spanish women.

CONCLUSIONS

The fact that the sub-Saharan women originating from countries where FGM is practiced presented a greater number of birthing complications than the Spanish women proves the need for Spanish healthcare professionals to receive training towards cultural competency acquisition, in order to provide a multidisciplinary approach, with standardized action protocols focused fundamentally on prevention.

Factors contributing to the perpetuation and eradication of female genital mutilation/cutting in sub-Saharan women living in Spain

OBJECTIVE

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) is one of the most widespread traditional practices harmful to the health of women and girls in the world. Its spread to the West highlights the need to establish preventive actions in European countries taking into account the affected population. That is why this study is aimed at finding out the elements that support the continuation of FGM/C and those that promote the change of attitudes and fight against FGM / C from the perspective of the sub-Saharan women themselves who reside in Spain.

DESIGN

Qualitative exploratory research that uses the method of life stories through an open interview.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

The participants were 24 women living in the Region of Murcia (Spain) who come from sub-Saharan countries where FGM/C is commonly practised.

FINDINGS

Arguments supporting FGM/C, the lack of knowledge and family pressure are identified as factors that perpetuate the practice, whereas the motivating factors for the change in attitudes that make most of the interviewees oppose FGM/C are the awareness of the consequences on health and close negative experiences, growing awareness of their rights, supportive legislation and breaking the taboo related to this practice to question justifications for FGM / C and share experiences.

KEY CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Being aware of the arguments of both sides, women who defend FGM/C and those who oppose it, is a valuable source of information that obstetrics, midwifery and nursing professionals can use. The study provides the core elements that any healthcare education program should incorporate to prevent female genital mutilation/circumcision.

[Sexist relationships in Generation X and Millennials]

OBJECTIVE

To identify sexist violence features on different technological generations (Millennials and Generation X).

DESIGN

Descriptive cross-sectional study. SITE: Region of Murcia, Spain.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1269 users of social networks belonging to the Millennials generation (19-38 years) and Generation X (39-54 years) who are in a romantic relationship.

MAIN MEASUREMENTS

The instrument "Questionnaire about new technologies to transmit gender violence", analyzes the use of social networks, suffered and exercised violence on couples. The study variables have been the generational group, age, sex, alcohol and drug consumption, the level of formal education, origin and residence country and sexual orientation.

RESULTS

Millennials show a statistically significant association with the items on risk patterns in networks related to phising, sexting, flaming, false offers, cyberstalking, and webcam hijacking (p<0.05), while regarding violence suffered only has been observed association in items related to flaming (OR: 0.405) (95% CI: 0.226-0.726) and sexual coercion (OR: 0.420) (95% CI: 0.200-0.882). Drugs increase risky activities, as well as violence suffered and practiced (p<0.05). The women sample reports more pressure in sexual activities (OR: 2587) (95% CI: 1702-3931) and fears from their partners (OR: 2598) (95% CI: 1749-3857).

CONCLUSIONS

The study shows higher risk patterns, as well as violence suffered and practiced in the Millennial group compared to Generation X. Also, it shows an increase generated by alcohol and drugs in the violence suffered and practiced by the study subjects. On the other hand, there are differences between the behaviors and violence suffered and practiced according to the different sexes, where the violence suffered by women is related to fear and activities of a sexual nature.

Postmigratory Perceptions of Female Genital Mutilation: Qualitative Life History Research

INTRODUCTION

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a practice, in breach of human rights, which currently extends to European countries. Given that migration to a Western country can involve cultural change, the aim of the present study is to explore the experiences and perceptions of sub-Saharan women regarding FGM/C following migration to Spain.

METHOD

A qualitative exploratory research design utilizing life history methodology was applied. Participants (n = 24) were recruited until data saturation was reached.

RESULTS

Sub-Saharan women describe their experience of FGM/C. Once in Spain, they begin to demystify the justifications for which FGM/C is practiced and to break the taboo that surrounds the practice.

DISCUSSION

Migration leads individuals to reflect on the traditional practices from their countries of origin. The nursing profession must accompany migrant women throughout their process of change and provide objective information from a position of cultural understanding, avoiding attitudes that might create a sense of revictimization while their resultant health consequences are being attended to.

Beauty stereotypes as a form of violence in Spanish context: A mixed-method model

The authors' purpose was to analyse the influence of beauty stereotypes on the everyday life of men and women and the behaviours adopted in order to satisfy such ideals using mixed methods of an exploratory nature. Taking into account that 76.7% of participants agree that the current established beauty stereotypes affect their everyday lives, we aim to explain the influence of beauty stereotypes and the behaviours adopted in order to comply with them. Assessing the degree of assimilation of gender-related socio-cultural beauty stereotypes allows us to examine how this can trigger behavioural responses in order to shape one's identity.

Design and validation of the social assimilation of beauty and body image stereotypes questionnaire in Spain

It may be considered esthetic violence when social demands regarding beauty affect and manipulate the development of individual identity and body image to respond to supposed prevailing ideals in society. We design and validate an instrument for measuring the degree of social assimilation of such stereotypes regarding beauty and body image linked to gender. The questionnaire was developed from a sample of 918 Spanish adults who participated online to develop it. The questionnaire was composed of 23 items. The assessment of preconceived images of bodily perfection provides examples of how esthetic violence affects the health of both men and women.

Living with mutilation: A qualitative study on the consequences of female genital mutilation in women's health and the healthcare system in Spain

INTRODUCTION

Female genital mutilation is a health and human rights issue which extends to western countries. It is estimated that there are some seventeen thousand women and girls living in Spain who have either been mutilated or are at risk of being so. Healthcare professionals face the challenge of providing adequate care in response to this emerging problem.

AIM

To discover the repercussions of female genital mutilation on the health of sub-Saharan women residing in Spain, as well as the healthcare received.

METHODS

A life-history qualitative research design was utilized. The study population included 14 genitally mutilated women residing in the Region of Murcia who had given birth in Spain and been attended to by the national public healthcare system.

RESULTS

Women suffer physical, psychological, obstetric and sexual health issues as a result of female genital mutilation and despite having a favourable perception of the healthcare received during the pregnancy and the delivery, the provision of health education, detection and treatment of female genital mutilation by healthcare professionals was seen to be lacking.

CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Healthcare policy must address insufficiencies in delivering adequate care to immigrant women who have been the victim of female genital mutilation by implementing the necessary resources and training for professionals to effectively meet the specific healthcare needs of this population and prevent this cruel practice from being perpetuated.