scholarly journals Barriers and facilitators to the access to specialized female genital cutting healthcare services: Experiences of Somali and Sudanese women in Norway

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0257588
Author(s):  
Mai Mahgoub Ziyada ◽  
R. Elise B. Johansen
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Health ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Female Genital Cutting ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Genital Cutting ◽  
Specialized Services ◽  
Female Genital

Background Girls and women subjected to female genital cutting (FGC) risk experiencing obstetrical, gynecological, sexual, and psychological health problems. Therefore, Norway has established low-threshold specialized healthcare services where girls and women with FGC-related health problems can directly seek medical attention. Nevertheless, we lack data about access to these services, especially for non-maternity-related purposes. In this article, we explore experiences of seeking medical attention for health problems that are potentially FGC-related, aiming to identify factors that hinder or facilitate access to FGC-specialized services. Methods We conducted a qualitative study in three Norwegian cities employing semi-structured repeat interviews with 26 girls and women subjected to FGC, participant observation, and three validation focus group discussions with 17 additional participants. We thematically analyzed the data and approached access as a dynamic process of interactions between individuals and the healthcare system that lasts from an initial perception of need until reception of healthcare appropriate to that need. Findings We identified several barriers to healthcare, including 1) uncertainty about FGC as a cause of experienced health problems, 2) unfamiliarity with FGC-specialized services, 3) lack of assessment by general practitioners of FGC as a potential cause of health problems, and 4) negative interactions with healthcare providers. In contrast, factors facilitating healthcare included: 1) receiving information on FGC-related health problems and FGC-specialized services from a non-profit immigrant organization, 2) referral to gynecologists with good knowledge of FGC, and 3) positive interactions with healthcare providers. Conclusion Assessing whether FGC is the cause for experienced health problems requires diagnostic competency and should not be left entirely to the patients. We recommend that Norwegian policymakers acknowledge the central role of GPs in the clinical management of patients with FGC-related health problems and provide them with comprehensive training on FGC.

scholarly journals The association between physical complications following female genital cutting and the mental health of 12-year-old Gambian girls: A community-based cross-sectional study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245723
Author(s):  
Bothild Bendiksen ◽  
Trond Heir ◽  
Fabakary Minteh ◽  
Mai Mahgoub Ziyada ◽  
Rex A. Kuye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Female Genital Cutting ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Genital Cutting ◽  
Female Genital

Background Female genital cutting (FGC) involve an acute physical trauma that hold a potential risk for immediate and long-term complications and mental health problems. The aim of this study was to examine the prediction of depressive symptoms and psychological distress by the immediate and current physical complications following FGC. Further, to examine whether the age at which 12-year-old Gambian girls had undergone the procedure affected mental health outcomes. Method This cross-sectional study recruited 134 12-year-old girls from 23 public primary schools in The Gambia. We used a structured clinical interview to assess mental health and life satisfaction, including the Short Mood and Feeling Questionnaire (SMFQ), the Symptom check list (SCL-5) and Cantril’s Ladder of Life Satisfaction. Each interview included questions about the cutting procedure, immediate- and current physical complications and the kind of help and care girls received following FGC. Results Depressive symptoms were associated with immediate physical health complications in a multivariate regression model [RR = 1.08 (1.03, 1.12), p = .001], and with present urogenital problems [RR = 1.19 (1.09, 1.31), p < .001]. The girls that received medical help following immediate complications had a lower risk for depressive symptoms [RR = .73 (.55, .98), p = .04]. Psychological distress was only associated with immediate complications [RR = 1.04 (1.01, 1.07), p = .004]. No significant differences in mental health outcomes were found between girls who underwent FGC before the age of four in comparison to girls who underwent FGC after the age of four. Conclusion Our findings indicate that the immediate and long-term complications following FGC have implications for psychological health. Only a minimal number of girls received medical care when needed, and the dissemination of health education seems crucial in order to prevent adverse long-term physical and psychological health consequences.

Exploring Beliefs and Attitudes Toward Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Among Healthcare Providers in New York City

2021 ◽  
pp. 107780122110457
Author(s):  
Moonkyung Min ◽  
Tracy Wong ◽  
Adeyinka M. Akinsulure-Smith
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
York City ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Female Genital Cutting ◽  
Cultural Meanings ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Genital Cutting ◽  
Beliefs And Attitudes ◽  
Female Genital

Given the increase of African immigrants from countries with high female genital cutting (FGC) prevalence, this study explored U.S. healthcare providers’ beliefs and attitudes regarding FGC. A total of 31 professionals who have provided services to FGC-experienced women in New York City were interviewed; data were analyzed using grounded theory. Results indicated that, although a majority of respondents emphasized maintaining a nonjudgmental and open-minded attitude toward clients’ experiences, some only focused on the negative aspects of FGC. Also, multifaceted efforts by providers to understand the cultural meanings of FGC and resolve their own cultural dissonance were identified. The implications for practice were discussed.

scholarly journals Burkina Faso and Mali: Female genital cutting harms women's health

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Change Agents ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Health Centers ◽  
Female Genital Cutting ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Rural Health Centers ◽  
Genital Cutting ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Female Genital

In collaboration with the Ministries of Health (MOH) of Burkina Faso and Mali, the Population Council conducted two studies in 1998 to describe the occurrence and severity of health problems related to female genital cutting (FGC). Study participants were consenting women who received a pelvic exam during prenatal, family planning (FP), obstetric, or gynecological consultations at MOH clinics. Providers were trained to observe the types and complications of FGC. To assess their potential role as change agents, providers in Mali also received training on the health effects of FGC and client counseling. In Burkina Faso, health providers recorded information on 1,920 women at 21 health centers in the rural provinces of Bazega and Zoundweogo. In Mali’s Bamako district and Segou region, providers recorded information on 5,390 women in 14 urban and rural health centers. As noted in this brief, women in Burkina Faso and Mali who have had their genitals cut are more likely to have gynecological and obstetrical problems, including bleeding, internal scarring, vaginal narrowing, and childbirth complications. More severe cutting increases a woman’s risk of other reproductive health problems.

Female Genital Cutting

2006 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
NAWAL M. NOUR
Keyword(s):  
Female Genital Cutting ◽  
Genital Cutting ◽  
Female Genital

Response to Commentaries: Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior to Female Genital Cutting and Deinfibulation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonya S. Brady ◽  
Jennifer J. Connor ◽  
Nicole Chaisson ◽  
Fatima Sharif Mohamed ◽  
Beatrice “Bean” E. Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Planned Behavior ◽  
Planned Behavior ◽  
Female Genital Cutting ◽  
Genital Cutting ◽  
Female Genital

scholarly journals Cohort analysis of the state of female genital cutting in Nigeria: prevalence, daughter circumcision and attitude towards its discontinuation

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Babatunde M. Gbadebo ◽  
Adetokunbo T. Salawu ◽  
Rotimi F. Afolabi ◽  
Mobolaji M. Salawu ◽  
Adeniyi F. Fagbamigbe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Cohort ◽  
Cohort Analysis ◽  
The State ◽  
Female Genital Cutting ◽  
Birth Cohorts ◽  
Bodily Integrity ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Female Children ◽  
Genital Cutting ◽  
Female Genital

Abstract Background Female genital cutting (FGC) inflicts life-long injuries on women and their female children. It constitutes a violation of women’s fundamental human rights and threats to bodily integrity. Though decreasing, the practice is high and widespread in Nigeria despite efforts towards its eradication. This study was conducted to perform cohort analysis of the state of FGC between the years 2009 and 2018 in Nigeria. Results The study found that that FGC has reduced over the years from 56.3% among the 1959–1963 birth cohort to 25.5% among 1994–1998 cohorts but a rise in FGC between 1994–1998 cohorts and 1999–2003 cohorts (28.4%). The percentage of respondents who circumcised their daughters reduced from 40.1% among the oldest birth cohort to 3.6% among the younger cohort. Birth-cohort, religion, education, residence, region, and ethnicity were associated with FGC. Factors associated with the daughter’s circumcision were birth-cohort, religion, residence, region, ethnicity, wealth, marital status, FGC status of the respondent, and FGC required by religion. Similar factors were found for discontinuation intention. Conclusions The practice of FGC is still high but decreasing among younger birth-cohorts in Nigeria. There is no significant change in the perception of the discontinuation of FGC. More awareness about the adverse effects of FGC, particularly among women with poor education in Nigeria will greatly reduce this cultural menace’s timely eradication.

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