Table 1 Summary of the articles reviewed (n = 14)

Ali [46] (2012)

Sudan

To assess knowledge and attitudes of the midwives towards FGM in Eastern Sudan

Descriptive study

Face to face interview with open questionnaire

Midwives Note: “midwives used […] were traditional birth attendants”

157

FGM

Berggren & al. [35] (2004)

Sudan

To explore motives, perceptions and experiences of re-infibulation after birth and to elucidate its context and determinants

Qualitative study (focussed ethnography)

Explorative open-ended interviews

Midwives

17

Re-infibulation

Christof-fersen-Deb [48] (2005)

Kenya

To examine medicalized circumcision from the perspective of Gusii community members and health care workers in western Kenya

Qualitative study

Structured interviews

Medical doctors

4

FGM

Nurses

7

Hess & al. [45] (2010)

Unites-States of America

To assess certified nurse-midwives’ knowledge of FGM and to explore their experiences caring for African immigrant women with a history of genital cutting

Descriptive study

Closed and open-ended questionnaire

Nurse-midwives

243

Mainly re-infibulation

Ibrahim & al. [42] (2013)

Nigeria

To determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of FGM among doctors and nurses/midwives practising in public secondary and tertiary hospitals

Cross-sectional descriptive study

Self-administered structured questionnaires

Medical doctors

66

FGM

Nurses

52

Kaplan & al. [41] (2013)

The Gambia

To examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding FGM among health-care providers working in rural settings in The Gambia

Cross-sectional descriptive study

Open and close-ended questions administered face to face

Nurses and Midwives

468

FGM

Leye & al. [44] (2008)

Belgium

To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices with regard to FGM among gynaecologists in Flanders, Belgium

Descriptive study

Questionnaire

Medical doctors (gynaeco-logists)

333

FGM & Re-infibulation

Mostafa & al. [38] (2006)

Egypt

To explore the knowledge, beliefs and attitudes of medical students; to explore the students’ opinions about the medicalization of FGM

Cross-sectional descriptive study

Structured questionnaires

Medical students

298

FGM

Njue & Askew [47] (2005)

Kenya

To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of health-care providers and the community in general about the medicalization of FGM among the Abagusii

Descriptive study

In-depth interviews

Nurses

29

FGM

Clinicians or doctors

14

Support staff nurses

17

Nurse aides

8

Midwives

5

Community health workers

2

Ogunsiji [36] (2015)

Australia

To report the knowledge and attitude of Australian midwives towards FGM

Qualitative study

Semi-structures interviews

Midwives

11

FGM & Re-infibulation

Onuh & al. [40] (2006)

Nigeria

To determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of FGM among nurses in the ancient metropolis of Benin (urban environment) in a Nigerian state where FGM is illegal

Descriptive study

Self-administered structured questionnaire

Nurses

182

FGM

Refaat [37] (2009)

Egypt

To estimate the determinants of the practice of FGM among Egyptian physicians

Cross-sectional descriptive study

Self-administered questionnaire

Medical doctors

193

FGM

Relph & al. [43] (2013)

United Kingdom

To assess the knowledge, attitude and training on FGM amongst medical and midwifery professionals working in an area of high prevalence of FGM

Descriptive study

Questionnaire

Medical doctors

47

FGM & Re-infibulation

Nurses-midwives

19

Medical/midwifery students

14

Umar & Oche [39] (2014)

Nigeria

To identify the predictors of health-care providers practicing FGM in Sokoto, Nigeria

Cross-sectional descriptive study

Self-administered questionnaire

Female nurses

100

FGM