A systematic review of the health complications of female genital mutilation including sequelae in childbirth (2000)

This study is a Explanatory research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): World Health Organization FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: To document different types of complications encountered with FGM/C women during childbirth Study Population: Relied on articles Findings: The systematic review categorized the articles in the following groups obstetric – including antenatal,labour,delivery,post partum,pregnancy outcome,maternal mortality and neonatal mortality gynaecological – including menstrual problems,psychosexual including infertility problems Geographical coverage Region(s):Not specified Country(ies):Not specified Source

September 8, 2023

A Tradition in Transition: Factors Perpetuating and Hindering the Continuance of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) Summarized in a Systematic Review (2013)

This study is a Explanatory research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Berg Rigmor C.,and Eva Denison FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: To describe participants’ perspectives and understandings of the factors perpetuating or hindering the continuation of FGM/C Study Population: Members of communities practicing FGM/C residing in a Western country Findings: Based on this review,the authors revealed six key factors that underpin FGM/C: cultural tradition,sexual morals,marriageability,religion,health benefits,and male sexual enjoyment. There were four key factors perceived to hinder FGM/C: health consequences,it is not a religious requirement,it is illegal,and the host society discourse rejects FGM/C. The results show that FGM/C appears to be a tradition in transition. Geographical coverage Region(s):Not specified Country(ies):Not specified Source

Abandoning female genital cutting: prevalence,attitudes,and efforts to end the practice (2001)

This study is a Not specified regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Creel L; Ashford L; Carr D; Roudi N; Sass J FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: N/A. Objective: The report presents an overview and recent statistics about the practice of FGC,a summary of FGC abandonment approaches,and a brief discussion of projects in four countries (Egypt,Kenya,Senegal,and Uganda) identified as promising by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) Study Population: Relied on articles Findings: Geographical coverage Region(s):Western Africa,Eastern Africa,Northern Africa Country(ies):Egypt,Kenya,Senegal,Uganda Source

Abusing female children by circumcision is continued in Egypt (2012)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Abeer Ahmed Zayed and Abla Abdelrahman Ali FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: Prevalence. Objective: To record the prevalence of female circumcision in 2010,in the region of Cairo and Giza,seeking to show if there was difference in the practice after the change in the law and banning of the procedure.  Study Population: Women Findings: Statistical analysis revealed that 63.9% of the sample had been victimised by circumcision. The mean age of circumcision was 10.846 ± 1.98 years. Circumcision took place at victim’s home in 56.5%,private clinics in 38.5% or at hospitals in 5%. The procedure was performed by medical personnel in the majority of cases. The motivation behind the practice was primarily traditional beliefs (64.1%) followed by religious considerations (35.9%). Experienced complications were emotional trauma in 94.9%,haemorrhage in 33.3% and dysuria in 7.7%. Sexual problems were exclusively reported by the victimised subjects in 72.7% of sexually experienced subjects Geographical coverage Region(s):Northern Africa Country(ies):Egypt Source

Accelerating Change towards Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Effects of Community Dialogues on FGM/C and Child Marriage (2019)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Kipchumba,E.,Korir,J.,Abdirahman,N.,Mwai,C.,& Aid,N. C. FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: This study explores progress of the joint programme results from 2016 to 2018. Additionally,it tests the effects achieved by community level discussions – labelled Community Dialogue Sessions Study Population: In total,1258 respondents were involved at baseline of whom 1168 were traced and re-survey at midline. In the qualitative method,a total of 31 Key Informant Interviews and 24 Focus Group Discussions were conducted. The FGD participants were members of the Community Dialogue (CD) sessions drawn from each target district and included the women,men,girls in schools,boys in schools,community and religious leaders’ groups. The KII targeted the community and religious leaders,health workers,police,parliamentarians and Ministry of Women Findings: Despite wide (70%) support for child marriage in the study area,we find low prevalence of child marriage (1% at baseline and 6% at midline) among female children aged between 10 and 17 years. The community however perceives child marriage as a widespread practice,completely opposite of the reality. Using two-wave panel data,this study finds nearly universal FGM/C prevalence (93% in 2016 and 97% in 2018) among girls aged 15 to 19 years. The midline FGM/C prevalence was comparable to the rates observed almost a decade ago among girls of a similar age. Within a two-year period,the study recorded 38.9% incidents rates (newly circumcised) with 65% of the new FGM/C incidents done between age 5 and 10 years. All uncircumcised girls aged above 15 years underwent FGM/C during the two-year window. Mother and grandmothers were the main decision makers as to whether a girl would undergo FGM/C or not and also determined which type of cut to be performed on her. There is high awareness on FGM/C and its negative effects with nearly all respondents aware of negative consequences of FGM/C. However,the health effects were largely associated with the Pharaonic type of FGM/C,with significant portion of the community perceiving the Sunnah type of FGM as less harmful or not harmful at all. Awareness of negative health consequences of FGM/C was the dominant driver of the two shifts in FGM/C practice: shift in FGM/C types being performed and medicalization of FGM/C. Six out of every ten new FGM/C cases were performed by health professionals especially in urban areas. Similarly,60% of new FGM/C incidents were of Sunna Saker type while 10% were of Pharaonic type. This study revealed that FGM/C is practiced based on religious,gender relations and cultural justifications. Sunnah FGM/C type is justified as a mandatory religious practise by 71% of the community. Although religious leaders disagreed with the notion that Sunnah FGM/C being compulsory religious practice,they all supported a fatwa that prohibits only Pharaonic FGM/C. Religious leaders had not taken a common stand prohibiting FGM/C in totality,either they supported Sunnah FGM/C publicly or dismissed the FGM/C discussion as a non-important women issue. The few religious leaders who were for complete abandonment of FGM/C had not come out publicly to air their views. On the other hand Pharaonic type though on the decline was justified as part of the Somali culture and traditions. As a gender relations issue,FGM/C was justified as means to assure virginity,marriageability and taming women’s sexual desires. Deviation from the norm would result in significant social costs such as failure to get a marriage partner and ridicule Geographical coverage Region(s):Eastern Africa Country(ies):Somalia Source

Access to Justice: Accelerating the Abandonment of FGM/C. (2017)

This study is a Systematic Review regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Kail,G. (2017). FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: To discuss the role comprehensive legislation traditionally plays through a top-down approach and proposes the use of bottom-up approaches to better leverage national laws and new legal norms to support collective societal action. Study Population: Relied on articles Findings: Legislation plays an important role in supporting social norm change toward the acceleration of the abandonment of FGM/C. Legal empowerment at the community level enables local-level norm change, including gender equity while also informing national-level institutions. By educating and empowering individuals and communities on new legal norms, legislation provides greater support to sustainable positive norm change. Geographical coverage Region(s):Not specified Country(ies):Not specified Source

Acute vulvar pain in a lady with post circumcision inclusion cyst of the vulva containing stones: a case report (2014)

This study is a Exploratory research regarding III FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s):  Gudu Wondimu FGM/C Type(s): III Health area of focus: Gynaecological. Objective: To report a case of stone containing post circumcision inclusion cyst of the vulva presenting with unusual acute vulvar pain in a lady who had type III female genital cutting during her childhood. Study Population: Women Findings: Post circumcision epidermoid inclusion cyst of the vulva containing stones and presenting with acute vulvar pain is extremely rare. Health professional in areas where female genital cutting is prevalent,should be aware of such unusual late vulvar complications of the practice,which might be misdiagnosed for other solid vulvar dermatologic tumours and be familiar with the appropriate management Geographical coverage Region(s):Eastern Africa Country(ies):Ethiopia Source

Addressing female genital mutilation in Europe: a scoping review of approaches to participation,prevention,protection,and provision of services (2018)

This study is a Exploratory research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Baillot,H.,Murray,N.,Connelly,E.,& Howard,N. FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: This study aimed to explore FGM prevention and response interventions in Europe,using a scoping literature review and key informant interviews. Study Population: Relied on articles and key informant interviews Findings: Numerous countries have developed potential FGM resistance and recovery therapies. However,there are still gaps in community participation,professional knowledge and connections,and strategy evaluation. This scoping assessment is an early attempt to describe existing primary evidence pertaining to European measures combating FGM. To assess whether interventions are beneficial,additional research is required,while policy and practice development must be influenced and driven by the experiences,needs,and perspectives of affected groups. Geographical coverage Region(s):Western Europe,Eastern Europe,Southern Europe,Northern Europe,Western Asia Country(ies):Belgium,France,Germany,Italy,Netherlands,Norway,Spain,Sweden,Switzerland,United Kingdom,Austria,Bulgaria,Croatia,Cyprus,Czechia,Denmark,Estonia,Finland,Greece,Hungary,Ireland,Latvia,Lithuania,Luxembourg,Malta,Poland,Portugal,Romania,Slovakia,Slovenia Source

Addressing Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in the Era of Clitoral Reconstruction: Plastic Surgery (2018)

This study is a Comparative research regarding II,III FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Sigurjonsson,H.,& Jordal,M. FGM/C Type(s): II,III Health area of focus: Clitoral Reconstruction: Plastic Surgery. Objective: The aim of this review was to give an overview of the recent evidence on clitoral reconstruction and other relevant reconstructive plastic surgery measures after female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Study Population: Relied on articles Findings: Recent papers describe advances and modifications to the surgical approach for clitoral reconstruction,as well as reconstruction of the labia majora and clitoral hood. Repositioning of the clitoral nerve,anchoring of the labia majora,fat grafting,and full thickness mucosa grafts are new techniques. Current information about the outcomes of clitoral reconstruction indicates the possibility of benefits. However,postoperative problems and negative outcomes are possible. Experts in the field argue for a multidisciplinary approach that includes psychosexual counseling and health education,with or without clitoral reconstruction surgery. Reconstructive treatment for women who have undergone FGM/C is developing,but slowly. The lack of evidence about clitoral reconstruction impedes the development of clinical standards and a consensus regarding optimal practice. Clitoral reconstruction should be provided by multidisciplinary referral facilities conducting research with long-term follow-up on surgical morbidity and potential benefits. Geographical coverage Region(s):Not specified Country(ies):Not specified Source

Addressing FGM with Multidisciplinary Care. The Experience of the Belgian Reference Center CeMAViE (2018)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Caillet,M.,O’Neill,S.,Minsart,A.-F.,& Richard,F. FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: The study aimed to describe the multidisciplinary approach of the Brussels-based referral center,one of the two centers for women living with female genital mutilation (FGM) in Belgium. Study Population: Not stated Findings: According to the World Health Organization,women who have undergone FGM should be able to benefit from multidisciplinary care. Clitoral reconstructive surgery appears to be a crucial but controversial element of this holistic treatment; its long-term benefits and role in sexual satisfaction are still the focus of many questions. Clitoral reconstructive surgery has been reimbursed by Belgian social security since 2014 only in conjunction with multidisciplinary care. In the referral center,the care is provided by a gynecologist,a midwife,a psychotherapist,and a sexologist. Five preoperative consultations are mandatory to obtain the refund. CeMaVie’s first line of treatments is nonsurgical therapies. Geographical coverage Region(s):Western Europe Country(ies):Belgium Source