The purpose of the study was to analyze how Swedish midwives (n = 26) discuss sexuality in circumcised African women patients. In focus groups and interviews, discussions concentrated on care provided to circumcised women, training received for this care, and mid-wives' perceptions of female circumcision. An analytic expansion was performed for discussions pertaining to sexuality and gender roles. Results from the analysis show the following: (1) ethnocentric projections of sexuality; (2) a knowledge paradox regarding circumcision and sexuality; (3) the view of the powerless circumcised women; and (4) the fact that maternity wards function as meeting places between gender and culture where the encounters with men allow masculine hegemonic norms to be ruptured. We conclude that an increased understanding of cultural epistemology is needed to ensure quality care. The encounters that take place in obstetrical care situations can provide a space where gender and culture as prescribed norms can be questioned.

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information processing cultural anthropology nursing methodology research literature Anecdotes human sexuality middle aged Sexual Partners Aged ethnology interview Nurse's Role Sweden Humans male female Review Africa pregnancy Circumcision, Female women's health female circumcision sex role Questionnaires adult midwife Midwifery Cultural Characteristics Nurse-Patient Relations attitude to health Focus Groups