Mathilde Horowicz

and 2 more

Objective: FGM/C can result in short and long-term complications, which can impact physical, psychological and sexual health. Our objective was to obtain descriptive data about the most frequent health conditions and procedures associated with female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in Swiss university hospital inpatient women and girls with a diagnosis of FGM/C. Our research focused on the gynaecology and obstetrics departments. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Swiss university hospitals (Geneva, Lausanne, Bern, Basel and Zurich). Population: Inpatient women and girls with a primary or secondary coded diagnosis of FGM/C. Methods: Four of the five Swiss university hospitals provided anonymized data on all inpatient women and girls admitted between 2016 and 2018 who had a primary or secondary diagnosis of FGM/C. Main outcomes measures: Primary and secondary diagnoses coded with the International Classifications of Diseases (ICD) and interventions coded in their medical files. Results: Between 2016 and 2018, 207 inpatients had a diagnosis of FGM/C. The majority (96%) were admitted either to gynaecology or obstetrics divisions with few genito-urinary and psychosexual conditions coded. Conclusions: FGM/C coding capacities in Swiss university hospitals are low, and some complications of FGM/C are probably not diagnosed. Pregnancy and delivery represent key moments to identify and offer medical care to women and girls who live with FGM/C. Funding: Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, Swiss Network against Female Circumcision, Caritas Switzerland. Keywords: Female genital mutilation, female genital cutting, female genital mutilation/cutting, international classification of diseases, ICD, coding, Switzerland

Olivia Holuszko

and 3 more

Objective: To determine whether health care providers (HCPs) would find an interactive digital 3D application (webapp) showing pelvic and genital anatomy to be helpful in patient consultations about female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C). Design: Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Setting: Recorded audio/video calls with HCPs in migration-destination countries of USA, UK, Sweden, France, Belgium, and Switzerland. Sample: Seven HCPs from various disciplines experienced in care for women and girls with FGM/C in migration-destination settings. Methods: Audio- and video-recorded usability testing with semi-structured interview protocol, transcribed manually and analysed thematically. Main outcome measures: Contextualised data regarding HCP’s willingness to use a 3D webapp visualising anatomy in FGM/C in consultations with patients. Results: All but one of the seven HCPs interviewed expressed keen interest in using this webapp and its 3D visuals of anatomy after FGM/C in consultations with patients. In their feedback, participants shared the common contexts for the use of visuals in health care for FGM/C and the concepts they are used to reinforce. Participating HCPs also highlighted the need for visuals that patients can relate to, as well as features that would adapt to and improve the continuum of care for women and girls with FGM/C. Conclusions: Digital applications with interactive 3D models of pelvic and genital anatomy that are accessible, accurate, and adaptable are likely to aid HCPs in communicating clinical information about FGM/C to patients in consultations. Funding: N/A Keywords: FGM/C, FGM, FGC, 3D, pelvis, interactive, patients, consultations, application, webapp, genital, vulva, anatomy, female genital cutting