Assessing the reliability and validity of attitudes and confidence scales for the care of women and girls affected by female genital mutilation/cutting. (2021)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Marea,C.X.,Warren,N.,Glass,N. et al FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: The authors developed instruments through review of the FGM/C literature,development of scale items,expert review,and pre-testing. They then validated the instruments using a convenience sample of providers in Arizona and Maryland. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to confirm factor structures,and compare scores between known groups to assess validity. Study Population: The study population included health care providers who registered for the workshop (“Optimizing Care for Women and Girls Affected by FGM/C”)and completed the online survey at the time of registration. This group included physicians,residents,nurses,nurse-practitioners,nurse-midwives,physicians assistants,mental health workers (including psychologists,psychiatrists,and social workers),and students in the health professions Findings: The EFA revealed a two-factor solution for attitudes,including subscales for Negative Attitudes and Empathetic Attitudes toward FGM/C and those who practice with Cronbach’s alphas of 0.814 and 0.628 respectively. The EFA for confidence revealed a two-factor solution including Confidence in Clinical FGM/C Care and Confidence in Critical Communication Skills for FGM/C Care with Cronbach’s alphas of 0.857 and 0.694 respectively.Conclusions Health care provider attitudes and confidence toward FGM/C care may affect quality of care and health outcomes for women and girls. Our study describes the rigorous psychometric analysis to create reliable and valid instruments to assess health care provider attitudes and confidence for the care of women and girls who have experienced FGM/C. Geographical coverage Region(s):North America Country(ies):United States Source

September 8, 2023

ASSESSING THE ROLE OF LAW IN REDUCING THE PRACTISE OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION/CUTTING IN KENYA (2020)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): A Meroka-Mutua,D Mwanga,C Olunga FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: e to assess the extent to which people obey the law on FGM/C; to investigate the reasons and causes that motivate people born into a tradition of FGM/C to obey or not to obey a law prohibiting FGM/C; and to establish the legal,policy,and programme responses,across varying contexts,that would most effectively reduce the practice of FGM/C Study Population: community gatekeepers,community leaders,and government officials; focus group discussions with women aged 35 and older,women aged 18–34,men aged 35 and older,and men aged 18–34; and a quantitative survey of 1,200 respondents from six practising communities Findings: despite the enactment of a law prohibiting FGM/C,13% of the studied population would still make the decision to cut women and girls in the future. Geographical coverage Region(s):Eastern Africa Country(ies):Kenya Source

ASSESSMENT OF ANTI-FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION PROGRAM IN GARISSA COUNTY,KENYA (2021)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Derow,Y.H FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: The main aim of this study was to investigate the success of anti-female genital mutilation programs in Garissa County.The study addresses the following specific objectives; 1. To determine the level of knowledge of adolescents/youth of Garissa county towards the anti-female genital mutilation law.To find out the attitude of residents of Garissa county towards the anti-female genital mutilation law. 3. To determine factors influencing the implementation of the anti-female genital mutilation law in Garissa county. 4. To determine the outcomes of anti-female genital mutilation program in Garissa County Study Population: This study’s population was residents of Garissa county. It targeted three groups of the population: women of childbearing age,adolescent between 12 and 18 years and the 18 elderly above 60 years of age living in Garissa sub-county. Data from a similar study previously conducted in the area will form the baseline for comparison with our results. Findings: Of the 108 participants,53.7% were female. The median age of participants was 23 years (Interquartile range [IQR] 15-40). The prevalence of FGM was 62% with the mean age of circumcision being 8.3 years (SD 2.7 years). There was a statistically significant association between practicing Islam and FGM (p=0.001). There was an improvement on the level of awareness of the antiFGM law among youth in Garissa at 84%. Two thirds of participants did not support FGM. Mothers were the main influencers and decision makers on having FGM practiced. Excision was the main type of FGM practiced with traditional circumcizers being the preferred circumcizers followed by trained nurses and midwives. Introduction of the antiFGM law and advocacy by NGOs focused on combating FGM has led to a reduction in the prevalence of FGM and a reduction in the support of the act. There is an increase in the medicalization of FGM in Garissa with evidence of the practice going underground. This study recommends NGOs to have a clearer focus on the method chosen in advocating for abandonment of FGM. Geographical coverage Region(s):Eastern Africa Country(ies):Kenya Source

Assessment of barriers of behavioral change to stop FGM practice among women of Kebri Beyah District,Somali Regional State,Eastern Ethiopia (2009)

This study is a Exploratory research,Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Joan Namulondo FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: To explore the perceptions of a community in regard to female genital cutting and to examine the initiatives developed by the local communities in their struggle to fight this practice. In addition,it is aimed at exploring the role played by Government in eliminating FGC Study Population: Male and female Findings: The findings revealed that there are divided opinions about female genital cutting among the Sabiny. There are those who are in favour of the practice,while others are against the practice. The assumed consequences of performing the practice or not performing it play a big role on the different perceptions held by the people. A big segment of the local community,together with the Uganda Government is involved in efforts to bring about change in the community by eliminating the tradition. Geographical coverage Region(s):Eastern Africa Country(ies):Uganda Source

Assessment of barriers of behavioral change to stop FGM practice among women of Kebri Beyah District,Somali Regional State,Eastern Ethiopia (2015)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Mohamed Mohamud FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: To assess barriers of behavioral change to stop FGM practice among women of Kebri Beyah district in Somali region,where the high prevalence of FGM is documented Study Population: Women Findings: This study revealed that 62.7% of the respondents have intention to circumcise their daughter in the future. Religion was the major reasons for the perpetuation of this practice. About 73.2% of circumcision was performed by traditional birth attendants. Eighty seven percent of participants responded that FGM was being practiced in that area. More than 79.9% of participants were undergone Sunni type of circumcision. Most 89.8% of respondents were found to have good knowledge about negative health outcome of FGM and 66.1% of respondents had negative attitude towards FGM. Literate women were less likely intending to continue FGM compared to illiterate women (AOR=0.58,95% CI; (0.42-0.91)). Those who have television at home have less intention for continuation of FGM compared to those who have not television Geographical coverage Region(s):Eastern Africa Country(ies):Ethiopia Source

Assessment of female genital cutting and early marriage on the retention of primary school girls in kuria west district,kenya (2013)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Magdaline Gesare Magangi FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess Female Genital Cutting (FGC) and early marriage on the retention of primary school girls in Kuria West District Study Population: pupils,teachers,head teachers and Education Officers Findings: Findings indicated that FGC was still practiced in the Kuria West District. The findings further show that girls dropped out of school to get married due to FGC,peer pressure and poverty among other factors. Among the recommendations made include the government taking measures to curb girl dropout rate in primary schools and all education stakeholders should also work together to create awareness on the adverse effects of FGC. It is also recommended that the government sponsors girls willing to return to school after dropping out. Geographical coverage Region(s):Eastern Africa Country(ies):Kenya Source

Assessment of Opportunities and Expert Counselling Intervention for Persons With Female Genital Cutting in Oyo State,Nigeria (2018)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Udoh-Emokhare,C. E. & Isiugo-AbaniheI,I. M. FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: The aim of this study was to establish the existence of psychological complications due to FGC; and the provision of opportunities and expert counselling especially for those at the adolescent stage Study Population: Health care providers Findings: Evidence from the study demonstrates a significant incidence of psychological issues as a result of FGC; they were strongly linked to the procedure among affected females. The high percentage of psychological assistance examined at the various maternal health clinics demonstrates the efficacy of healthcare personnel’ ongoing training. In order for effective psychosocial support services to be provided to females with FGC,healthcare providers should undergo continuous and relevant update training. Geographical coverage Region(s):Western Africa Country(ies):Nigeria Source

Assessment of selected socio-economic factors on the knowledge of health consequences of female genital mutilation among residents of Gombe state,Nigeria (2015)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Abdulllahi Mohammed Isyaku,Saidu Isah,Bala Yunusa Tilde,Helen Sindama FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: To critically analyze the influence of socio-economic factors on the Knowledge of health consequences of female genital mutilation (FGM) among residents in Gombe State Study Population: Women,Men Findings: The findings revealed that socio-economic factors had no significance influence on the knowledge of health consequences of female genital mutilation (FGM/C) among residents in Gombe State Geographical coverage Region(s):Western Africa Country(ies):Nigeria Source

Assessments of community’s perception toward the practices of female genital mutilation in Oromia Regional state: The case of Wonchi Woreda,Central Ethiopia (2018)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Muleta,K. W. FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: The general objectives of the study was to examine community‟s awareness concerning the practices of female genital mutilation in Wonchi woreda of Oromia regional state. Study Population: The data for the study were generated from primary and secondary sources. The primary data were collected from elders,religious leaders,community,healthy workers,victims of FGM,woreda women‟s and children affairs bureau,from woreda health office,and secondary data sources include census records,project reports,thesis,books,journals as well as others un published materials. Findings: The quantitative and qualitative outcomes of the study indicated that not all communities had the same opinion regarding the dangers of FGM. Culturally uncircumcised girls were unable to find a partner in the community,which compelled the community to practice FGM. Similarly,uncircumcised girls facde discrimination and ridicule in the community. FGM is linked with long-held cultural beliefs and social conventions in the society,and existing laws against FGM were not properly enforced. The following suggestions were made in light of the findings. The government should increase public awareness of the dangers of female genital mutilation (FGM) and activate all educational institutions and the media to alter unfavorable attitudes and traditional practices toward women and children. Similarly,the community should engage with local government and other organizations to educate,inform,and prosecute lawbreakers. Geographical coverage Region(s):Eastern Africa Country(ies):Ethiopia Source

Association between female genital mutilation and girl-child marriage in sub-Saharan Africa. (2022)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Ahinkorah BO,Hagan JE,Seidu AA,Bolarinwa OA,Budu E,Adu C,Okyere J,Archer AG,Schack T FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: To investigate the association between female genital mutilation and girl-child marriage in sub-Saharan Africa. Study Population: Women aged 20-24 from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys of twelve sub-Sahara African countries were pooled. Findings: A multilevel logistic regression analysis was employed,with reported adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The overall prevalence of FGM in the twelve countries was 52.19%,with the highest prevalence in Guinea (97.17%). The overall prevalence of girl-child marriage in the twelve countries was 57.96%,with the highest prevalence in Chad (78.06%). Women who had never experienced female genital mutilation were less likely to experience girl-child marriage (aOR=0.76,CI=0.71-0.82) compared with those who had ever experienced female genital mutilation. Age 24 (aOR=0.47,CI=0.43-0.52),secondary/higher level of education (aOR=0.31,CI=0.28-0.35),richest wealth quintile (aOR=0.56,CI=0.47-0.66),exposure to mass media (aOR=0.81,CI=0.74-0.88) medium community literacy level (aOR=0.63,CI=0.57-0.69) and low community socioeconomic status (aOR=0.67,CI=0.49-0.92) were found to be protective against girl-child marriage. The findings reveal that female genital mutilation is associated with girl-child marriage in sub-Saharan Africa. The continued practice will adversely affect the reproductive health outcomes of girls in the sub-region. Policies aimed at eliminating female genital mutilation and girl-child marriage should focus on compulsory basic education,poverty alleviation and increasing access to mass media. Further,campaigns should cover more communities with lower literacy levels and medium socioeconomic status. Geographical coverage Region(s):Western Africa,Eastern Africa,Middle Africa Country(ies):Burkina Faso,Chad,Ethiopia,Guinea,Kenya,Mali,Niger,Nigeria,Senegal,Sierra Leone,Tanzania,Togo Source