Female Genital Mutilation: necessary elements for its confrontation

Abstract

Introduction: Female genital mutilation is a violation of human rights of girls and women.
Objective: to describe necessary elements related to female genital mutilation.
Material and Methods: A literature review of 18 printed and electronic supported scientific materials related to the topic available in Infomed platform’s databases (Pubmed, EBSCO, Hinari, Scielo) was performed, all included in the last five years and using searching describers: female genital mutilation, types, complications, risk factors and prevention.
Development: The number of girls and young women at risk of genital mutilation increases in Europe and Africa, it is not possible to establish a single religion; practice regarding female genital mutilation predates Islam and is not common among most Muslims. There are different types of mutilation: I, II, III, IV, depends on the anatomical region. The most significant complications include severe pain, hemorrhage, tetanus, septicemia and psychological. Preventive elements are referred by the health system that reduces its practice.
Conclusions: female genital mutilation is one of the most significant fateful techniques, added to it, the internationalism principles of the Cuban doctor, proof that the description of epidemiological components, types, complications of it practice and a social approach of preventive actions, help health workers to revert this conduct.

Keywords: female genital mutilation, type, complications, risk factors, prevention.