Female genital mutilation: Origin, beliefs, prevalence and implications for health care workers caring for immigrant women in Australia

The recent wave of immigrants to Australia includes people from countries where female genital mutilation (FGM) is predominant. FGM is the terminology used by the World Health Organisation to describe all procedures involving partial or total removal of female external genitalia. A review of the literature has found that FGM still exists and the influx of migrants to Western countries such as Australia has seen more women in these countries with the physical and psychological after-effects of the procedure. Findings of this literature review highlight the need for heightened awareness of issues around FGM n order to provide adequate physical and psychological support to women affected by FGM.