Impact of female genital mutilation on childbirth and sexuality. A systematic review.
Abstract
Introduction: Female genital mutilation is a practice with deep cultural roots in some African and Asian countries, justified as a rite of passage into adulthood. Various international organizations consider it a form of violence against women, with negative repercussions on their physical, psychological, reproductive, and sexual health.
Material and Methos: To understand its repercussions on reproductive health, a systematic review of recent scientific literature was conducted, selecting six articles. The search was conducted between November 2023 and September 2024 in databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and CINAHL. DeCS and MeSH descriptors were used in combination with Boolean operators. Study selection followed the PRISMA 2020 and Cochrane guidelines, applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two researchers independently assessed the relevance of the studies, with a third resolving discrepancies. The methodological quality and risk of bias of the articles were assessed using the SIGN scale and JBI items.
Results: Six scientific articles published between 2018 and 2024 in various scientific journals were analyzed. All six articles included samples from different African countries.
Conclusion: The literature reviewed establishes a relationship between female genital mutilation and longer labor duration, a higher rate of cesarean sections, more perineal tears, a greater need for episiotomy, and a higher risk of postpartum hemorrhage.
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