Effectiveness of Interventions Designed to Prevent or Respond to Female Genital Mutilation: A Review of Evidence. UNFPA,UNICEF,WHO and Population Council,Kenya. (2021)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Matanda D,Groce-Galis M,Gay J & Hardee K FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: General. Objective: This study aimed to synthesize and assess the quality and strength of existing evidence on FGM interventions reported between 2008 and 2020,mapped onto the current theory of change for FGM programming. Study findings will contribute to strengthening the synergy between evidence generation and FGM programmes and inform a global research agenda for FGM. Study Population: N/A Findings: Of the 7,698 records retrieved,115 studies met the inclusion criteria. Of the 115 studies included in the final analysis,106 were of high and moderate quality. Study findings were organised according to the four levels of the multisectoral approach underpinning the UNFPA–UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation: Accelerating Change’s global,overarching theory of change. At the system level,legislation accompanied by political will,in combination with additional interventions such as sensitization and locally appropriate enforcement mechanisms,are promising practices in reducing FGM. However,law and legal enforcement take a long time to produce results. At the community level,health education and community dialogues with parents and religious leaders can change attitudes towards FGM,an important step in the continuum of change towards the abandonment of the practice. Media and social marketing efforts are effective in changing social norms and attitudes towards abandoning and,in some cases,reducing FGM. Notably,efforts to convert and/or provide traditional practitioners with alternative sources of income are not effective in eliminating FGM. At the individual level,formal education (educating mothers) can reduce the number of girls being subjected to FGM,while educating girls leads to improved knowledge on the consequences of FGM and changing attitudes towards the need for the practice. At the service level,available evidence,though limited,shows that health-care provider training can improve the capacity for prevention and treatment of FGM. Notably,most of the studies addressed intermediate outcomes for behavioural change such as knowledge and attitudinal change. At the system level,legislation-related interventions must be multifaceted to be effective. Community-level interventions are effective for changing attitudes towards FGM,but more must be done to innovate with these interventions so that they move beyond affecting attitudes alone to creating behaviour change. At the individual level,formal education is effective in reducing FGM prevalence among girls. However,the returns of formal education in ending FGM may take many years to be realized,so interventions targeting intermediate outcomes,such as improvement in knowledge and change in attitudes and beliefs towards FGM,are equally needed at the individual level. More research is needed at the service level,especially into how the health system can effectively prevent and respond to FGM. Geographical coverage Region(s):Not specified Country(ies):Not specified Source

September 8, 2023

Effectiveness of interventions designed to prevent or respond to FGM. (2020)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): D Matanda,M Grocie-Galis,K Hardee FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: to asses the strength of evidence guidelines. To evaluate the strength of evidence using a modified gray scale; that has been previously used to asses strength of evidence of other reproductive health interviews. Study Population: NA Findings: out of 7698 records that were retrieved,115 studies met the inclussion criteris. Of 115 studies included in the final analysis,106 were of high and moderate quality. Geographical coverage Region(s):Western Africa,Eastern Africa,Southern Europe,Northern Africa Country(ies):kenya,Tanzania,Egypt,Burkina Faso,Ethiopia,Mali,Nigeria,senegal,Sudan,Portugal,Sierra Leone,Gambia,Guinea-Bissau. Source

EFFECTIVENESS OF NATIONAL ADMINISTRATORS IN CURBING FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION IN KAJIADO COUNTY,KENYA FROM 2011-2019 (2019)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): OMIDO,M. O. FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: The general objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of National Administrators in curbing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Kajiado County,Keny Study Population: The target population for the study was male and female village elders,national government administrators in the sub county,girls in rescue centers and women groups Findings: The study findings indicate that majority of the respondents (74.6%) were in agreement that national administrators had helped in protection of women and girls while 25.4% felt that they had not. The findings of the study indicate that majority of the respondents (44.8%) agree that national administrators have done enough to enforce child protection 56 against FGM practices,while only 7.5% of the respondents highly disagree that national administrators have done enough. 2. A paltry 7.5 percent knew while the majority (92.5%) had no clue of the support services offered to victims of FGM practices. Majority of the respondents strongly disagree that it is easy to access the support services for the FGM victims. A mere 2 percent strongly agree that it is easy to access the support services. This implies that there is a hitch in provision of support services. The same case was indicated in relation to availability of reconstructive surgery availability where 79.1% of the respondents strongly disagree that it is available compared to only 7.5% who agree and 5.9% who strongly agree. Majority of the respondents (91%) feel that the support services are sustainable due to lack of integration with people within the community as well as availability of qualified and trained personnel to provide such service. 3. On the issue of public education and sensitization of National Administrators,majority of the respondents (88.24%) highly agree that the national administrators actively educate the public on FGM practices dangers. Majority of the respondents (89.5%) are of the view that class room based public education will not help curb FGM practices. This is the 57 same case with project based public education and sensitization where only 37% agree and highly agree that this approach will help curb FGM practices. On the other hand,95.5% of the respondents agree that civic education is effective in curbing FGM practices. 4. Majority of the respondents (74.6%) agree that having national administrators integrated into the specialist services will make them more effective in curbing FGM practices. This is the same case with having clear direction from the national level where 71.6% of the respondents this action if adopted will increase the effectiveness of national administrators. This is also the case with integrating administrators into existing frameworks,where 59.7% of the respondents highly agree that it will make administrators more effective in curbing FGM practice Geographical coverage Region(s):Eastern Africa Country(ies):Kenya Source

Effects of Alternative Rite Of Passage on Girls’ Education among the Keiyo Community of Elgeyo Marakwet County-Kenya (2015)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): J.F. Gitagno FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: Examined the emergence,success and failures of Alternatives Rite of Passage in light of girls’ education in Keiyo district Study Population: 155 girls who had undergone the alternative rite of passage Findings: The results showed that ARP approach has been accepted in Keiyo community as a rite of passage to replace the traditional rite of passage,it has also contributed positively in fostering girls’ education in Keiyo community and the community has a positive perception of ARP approach. However,interviews of community’s leaders and elders indicated that the mechanisms that sustain the practice of female circumcision are still firmly rooted in the culture. Geographical coverage Region(s):Eastern Africa Country(ies):Kenya Source

Effects of clitoral reconstruction for female genital mutilation on perinatal outcomes: A retrospective case-control study (2021)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Madzou S,Reau-Giusti C,Hervé S,Zhu KH,Ouédraogo CM,Verhaeghe C,Gillard P,Catala L,Combaud V,Descamps P,Legendre G and Corroenne R. FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: Gynaecological. Objective: To investigate the perinatal outcomes of women with a history of female genital mutilation (FGM) who underwent clitoral reconstruction (CR) compared with women with FGM who did not undergo CR. Study Population: Retrospective case-control study at Angers University Hospital,between 2005 and 2017. Inclusion criteria: pregnant women >18 years who underwent CR after FGM. Only the first subsequent delivery after CR was included. Each woman with CR was matched for age,ethnicity,FGM type,parity,and gestational age at the time of delivery with two women with FGM who did not undergo CR during the same period of time. At birth,the main outcomes were the need for episiotomy and having an intact perineum after delivery. Findings: 84 women were included (28 in the CR group; 56 in the control group). In the CR group,patients required significantly fewer episiotomies (5/17[29.4 %]) compared to the control group (28/44[63.6 %],p = 0.02),even after excluding operative vaginal deliveries (2/13[15.4 %] vs 21/36[58.3],p 

Effects of clitoral reconstruction for female genital mutilation on perinatal outcomes: a retrospective case-control study (2021)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Madzou S,Reau-Giusti C,Hervé S,Zhu KH,Ouédraogo CM,Verhaeghe C,Gillard P,Catala L,Combaud V,Descamps P,Legendre G,Corroenne R. FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus:  Perinatal outcomes of women with a history of female gentiale mutilation (FGM) who underwent clitoral reconstruction (CR) compared with women with FGM who did not undergo CR.. Objective: To investigate the perinatal outcomes of women with a history of female gentiale mutilation (FGM) who underwent clitoral reconstruction (CR) compared with women with FGM who did not undergo CR. Study Population: Retrospective case-control study of pregnant women with a history of FGM who underwent CR between 10/2005 and 06/2017 in a tertiary center.Participant inclusion criteria were pregnant women >18 years who underwent CR after FGM. Only the first subsequent delivery after CR was included. Exclusion criteria included: pregnancies that resulted in stillbirths,abortion,or multiple gestations,and when the type of FGM was not retrospectively available. Each woman with CR was matched for age,ethnicity,FGM type,parity,and gestational age at the time of delivery with two women with FGM who did not undergo CR during the same period of time Findings: 84 women were included in the study (CR group: 28; control group:56). There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics or FGM type between the groups. In the CR group,patients required significantly fewer episiotomies (29.4%) compared to the control group (63.6%,p=0.02),even after excluding operative vaginal deliveries (15.4% vs 58.3,p

Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting and Child,Early or Forced Marriages in Kenya,Uganda,Ethiopia and Senegal (2021)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Esho,T.,Matanda,D.J.,Abuya,T. et al FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: The authors examined how the COVID-19 pandemic affected FGM/C and CEFM in Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, and Ethiopia.  Study Population: Women and men aged 15–49 years,programme implementers and policymakers Findings:  Results In Kenya,the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the increase in both FGM/C and CEFM cases. Minimal increase of FGM/C cases was reported in Uganda and a significant increase in CEFM cases. In Ethiopia,the COVID-19 pandemic had a limited effect on changes in FGM/C and CEFM. In Senegal,there were minimal effects of COVID-19 on the number of FGM/C and CEFM cases. The pandemic has negatively affected implementation of interventions by the justice and legal system,the health system,and civil societies. Conclusions The pandemic has had varied effects on FGM/C and CEFM across the four countries. Across the four countries,the pandemic has negatively affected implementation of interventions by the various sectors that are responsible for preventing and responding to FGM/C and CEFM. This calls for innovative approaches in intervening in the various communities to ensure that women and girls at risk of FGM/C and CEFM or in need of services are reached during the pandemic. Evidence on how effective alternative approaches such as the use of call centres,radio talk shows and the use of local champions as part of risk communication in preventing and responding to FGM/C and CEFM amid COVID-19 is urgently required. Geographical coverage Region(s):Western Africa,Eastern Africa Country(ies):Kenya,Uganda,Ethiopia,Senegal Source

Effects of female genital cutting on physical health outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis (2014)

This study is a Correlation research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Berg RC,Underland V,Odgaard-Jensen J,Fretheim A,Vist GE FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: Gynaecological,Urinary. Objective: To systematically review the evidence for physical health risks associated with FGM/C by deriving overall estimates Study Population: Relied on articles Findings: The study concludes that while the precise estimation of the frequency and risk of immediate,gynaecological,sexual and obstetric complications is not possible,the results weigh against the continuation of FGM/C and support the diagnosis and management of girls and women suffering the physical risks of FGM/C Geographical coverage Region(s):Not specified Country(ies):Not specified Source

Effects of female genital cutting on the sexual function of Egyptian women (2012)

This study is a Correlation research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Anis Tarek H.,Samah Aboul Gheit,Hossam H. Awad,and Hanan S. Saied FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: Sexual. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of FGC on the female sexual function of Egyptian women Study Population: Egyptian females between 16 and 55 years of age (333 genitally cut women and 317 uncut women). Findings: The mean age of cutting was 8.59 (±1.07) years. Of the cut participants,84.98% showed signs of type I genital cutting,while 15.02% showed signs of type II genital cutting. After adjusting for age,residential area,and education level,uncut participants had significantly higher Arabic Female Sexual Function Index (ArFSFI) total score (23.99±2.21) compared with cut participants (26.81±2.26). The desire,arousal,lubrication,orgasm,and satisfaction domains were significantly higher in the uncut participants (4.02±0.78,4.86±0.72,4.86±0.75,4.86±0.68,5.04±0.71,respectively) compared with those of the cut participants (3.37±0.89,4.13±0.71,4.16±0.84,4.50±0.79,4.69±0.92,respectively). No significant difference between the two groups was found regarding the sexual pain domain. In Egyptian women,FGC is associated with reduced scores of ArFSFI on all domain scores except the sexual pain domain. Geographical coverage Region(s):Northern Africa Country(ies):Egypt Source

Effects of female genital mutilation on birth outcomes in Switzerland (2009)

This study is a Correlation research regarding III FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Wuest S,Raio L,Wyssmueller D,Mueller MD,Stadlmayr W,Surbek DV,Kuhn A FGM/C Type(s): III Health area of focus: Obstretics,Gynaecological. Objective: To determine the desires and wishes of pregnant patients vis-à-vis their external genital anatomy after female genital mutilation (FGM) in the context of antenatal care and delivery in a teaching hospital setting in Switzerland. The secondary aim was to determine whether women with FGM and non-mutilated women have different fetal and maternal outcomes Study Population: Women Findings: Six percent of patients wished to have their FGM defibulated antenatally,43% requested a defibulation during labour,34% desired a defibulation during labour only if considered necessary by the medical staff and 17% were unable to express their expectations. There were no differences for FGM patients and controls regarding fetal outcome,maternal blood loss or duration of delivery. FGM patients had significantly more often an emergency Caesarean section and third-degree vaginal tears,and significantly less first-degree and second-degree tears Geographical coverage Region(s):Western Europe Country(ies):Switzerland Source