Attitudes of health care providers regarding female genital mutilation and its medicalization in Guinea (2021)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Balde MD,O’Neill S,Sall AO,Balde MB,Soumah AM,Diallo B,et al
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: To understand the attitudes of health care providers related to FGM and its medicalization as well as the potential role of the health sector in addressing this practice,a study was conducted in Guinea to inform the development of an intervention for the health sector to prevent and respond to this harmful practice.
Study Population: Health care providers
Findings: The majority of health care providers participating in this study were opposed to FGM and its medicalization. Survey data showed that 94% believed that it was a serious problem; 89% felt that it violated the rights of girls and women and 81% supported criminalization. However,within the health sector,there is no enforcement or accountability to the national law banning the practice. Despite opposition to the practice,many (38%) felt that FGM limited promiscuity and 7% believed that it was a good practice.Health care providers could have an important role in communicating with patients and passing on prevention messages that can contribute to the abandonment of the practice. Understanding their beliefs is a key step in developing these approaches.
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Western Africa
Country(ies):Guinea