The lower prevalence of female genital mutilation in the Netherlands: a nationwide study in Dutch midwifery practices

Objectives
To determine the prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) in women giving birth in 2008 in the Netherlands.
Method
A retrospective questionnaire study was conducted. The study covered all 513 midwifery practices in the Netherlands. The data were analysed with SPSS 17.0.
Results
The response from midwifery practices was 93% (n = 478). They retrospectively reported 470 circumcised women in 2008 (0.32%). The expected prevalence in the Netherlands based on the estimated prevalence of FGM in the country of birth was 0.7%. It is likely that there was underreporting in midwifery practices since midwives do not always enquire about the subject and may not notice the milder types of FGM. Midwives who checked their records before answering our questionnaire reported a prevalence of 0.8%.
Conclusion
On the basis of this study, we can conclude that FGM is a serious clinical problem in Europe for migrant women from risk countries for FGM. These women should receive extra attention from obstetricians and midwives during childbirth, since almost half are mutilated and FGM involves a risk of complications during delivery for both women and children.