Table 2 Summary of the characteristics of included studies

Type of studies

Qualitative

3

[35, 36, 48]

Quantitative - descriptive

9

[37–44, 46]

Mixed (qualitative and quantitative)

2

[45, 47]

Form of FGM

FGM (Types 1, 2, 3 and/or 4)

9

[37–42, 46–48]

Re-infibulation

2

[35, 45]

FGM & re-infibulation

3

[36, 43, 44]

Type of health-care provider

Nurses

7

[39–43, 47, 48]

Midwives

7

[35, 36, 41, 43, 45–47]

Physicians

7

[37, 42, 43, 47, 48]

Gynaecologists: [44]

Medical students: [38]

Country where the research took place

Country where FGM is prevalent

10

[35, 37–42, 46–48]

Country of immigration (where FGM is not prevalent)

4

[36, 43–45]