TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2024//
TI  - 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
JO  - BMC women's health
A1  - Mwakawanga, Dorkasi L.
A1  - Massae, Agnes F.
A1  - Kohli, Nidhi
A1  - Lukumay, Gift Gadiel
A1  - Rohloff, Corissa T.
A1  - Mushy, Stella Emmanuel
A1  - Mgopa, Lucy R.
A1  - Mkoka, Dickson Ally
A1  - Mkonyi, Ever
A1  - Trent, Maria
A1  - Ross, Michael W.
A1  - Rosser, B. R. Simon
A1  - Connor, Jennifer
SP  - e198
EP  - e198
VL  - 24
IS  - 1
N2  - 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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1472-6874
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-03034-x
ID  - ref1
ER  -