Dr Faduma Hussein

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Dr Faduma Hussein Community Health
Adviser African Well Womens Service Waltham
Forest PCT Kirkdale House, 7 Kirkdale
Road Leytonstone, E11 1HP Tel[phone]
7381 Email faduma.hussein_at_wf-pct.nhs.uk

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What isFemale Genital Mutilation

• DEFINITION
• FGM constitutes all procedures which involve
  partial or total removal of the external female
  genitalia or injury to the female genital organs
  whether for cultural or other non-therapeutic
  reasons
• (WHO, 1996)

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Health Consequences

• SHORT-TERM
• Severe pain, emotional and physical shock
• Haemorrhage
• Urine Retention
• Infection including tetanus blood borne viruses
  including HIV and hepatitis and wound
  infections
• Injury to adjacent tissue
• Fracture or dislocation limbs as a result of
  restraint and damage to other organs
• Death

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HEALTH CONSEQUENCES

• LONG-TERM
• Difficulty with passing urine and chronic urine
  
• infections
• Difficulties with menstruation
• Acute and chronic pelvic infections and
  infertility
• Neuromas, infibulation cyst and chronic scar
  formation
• Psychological problems which may include
  flashbacks, depression and post traumatic stress
  disorder

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LONG-TERMcontinued

• Sexual dysfunction including painful sex
• Increased risk of HIV and other sexually
  transmitted infections
• Complications of pregnancy, labour and delivery
  including maternal and infant morbidity and
  mortality, perineal trauma and psychological
  distress to mother
• Fistulae