Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting: Knowledge and Attitudes of Pediatricians in the United States
Name: Grace Pipes
School: Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Class of 2023
Mentor: Jocelyn Brown, MD, MPH
Abstract
The objective of this study is to document pediatricians’ experiences with female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C) in the United States (US). There is an increasing number of immigrants moving to western countries, like the US, from FGM/C practicing areas. Pediatricians in these western countries have the best exposure to children at risk for FGM/C and therefore the ability to prevent its practice. There is scant data of US pediatricians’ knowledge and attitudes surrounding FGM/C in the literature. A cross-sectional, peer-reviewed questionnaire will assess the attitudes, knowledge, clinical practices, and education about FGM/C of general, child abuse, and adolescent health pediatricians. The questionnaire will be distributed via emails sent to listservs from the American Medical Association (AMA) and Helfer Society of Child Abuse Pediatricians. Our study’s results will help to determine the knowledge gaps that exist among US pediatricians about FGM/C. We will then be able to better address those gaps through development of training curricula and dissemination of FGM/C resources in the US that promote advocacy and culturally competent care to those affected by FGM/C.