Female Genital Mutilation as a Concern for Special Operations and Tactical Emergency Medical Support Medics

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Global Health
• Medical Anthropology

Background:

• Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a harmful traditional practice with a long history in Africa, the Middle East, and the Arabian Peninsula.
• FGM involves the intentional disfigurement of female genitalia, causing permanent damage and serious health complications.
• Despite being illegal in most countries, FGM persists globally and is increasingly encountered in Western nations due to immigration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide Special Operations Forces (SOF) and Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) medics with essential knowledge on FGM.
• To educate medical personnel on the history, geographic prevalence, classification, complications, and treatment of FGM.
• To prepare SOF/TEMS medics for evaluating and treating FGM-related health issues in diverse patient populations.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical and geographical data on FGM prevalence.
• Analysis of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification system for FGM.
• Compilation of medical complications and treatment strategies for FGM patients.

Main Results:

• FGM is a deeply rooted practice with severe, irreversible anatomical and health consequences.
• A standardized classification system exists to categorize FGM procedures based on anatomical alterations.
• Medical personnel, particularly SOF/TEMS medics, require specialized knowledge to manage FGM complications effectively.

Conclusions:

• FGM poses significant global health challenges, necessitating medical preparedness.
• Understanding FGM's context, classification, and complications is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
• Enhanced training for military and emergency medical providers is vital to address the health needs of FGM-affected individuals.