Mediating Human Rights and Religio-Cultural beliefs: An African Feminist Examination of Conceptualisations of Female Genital Cutting (FGC) in the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) Documents (2016)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Tania Missa Owino FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: To examine and analyse how UNICEF frames discourses on human rights and religio-cultural beliefs to conceptualise FGC Study Population: NA Findings: This study made an important conclusion that addressing FGC from a human rights perspective was not enough and might not achieve UNICEF’s intention of eliminating FGC. The findings of the study were that there was a need to address FGC from a collective approach within practicing local communities. Second,the study highlighted the need to change mind sets and attitudes regarding FGC. While recognising the important place which cultural rites takes in African communities,the study suggested the need to explore alternative rites of passage through which local communities could still retain the benefits of passing traditional teachings during the transition from childhood to adulthood. Geographical coverage Region(s):Western Africa,Eastern Africa Country(ies):Ethiopia,Kenya,Somalia,Nigeria,Senegal,Côte d’Ivoire Source

September 8, 2023

Medical complications of female genital mutilation (2001)

This study is a Exploratory research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Epstein David,Patricia Graham,Mary Rimsza FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: To increase awareness and knowledge of female genital mutilation to enable clinicians to understand and manage its complication by reporting a case of obstructive uropathy Study Population: Women Findings: The study attained its objective by reporting a case of obstructive uropathy resulting in hydronephrosis secondary to female genital mutilation Geographical coverage Region(s):Not specified Country(ies):Not specified Source

Medicalisation of female genital mutilation/Cutting in Sudan: Shifts in types and providers (2018)

This study is a Comparative research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Bedri,N.,Sherfi,H.,Rodwan,G.,Elhadi,S.,& Elamin,W. FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: This study aimed to inform the development of future interventions by generating evidence on the drivers of the shifts in the practice of FGM/C in Sudan. Study Population: Families who practised medicalised FGM/C,families that did not practise medicalised FGM/C,HCPs offering medicalised FGM/C,and TBAs Findings: Social and gender aspects emerged as major reasons for the continued practice of FGM/C. The most common reason given by all categories of participants was marriageability. Ethnicity and an adherence to tribal/cultural norms or identity were also noted to have an impact on the practice,especially among those living in ethnically homogenous communities. The perception that type I has no complications and was safer was also reported to drive the shift from the pharaonic type. For some,the cutting of girls at a very young age,such as three years,was because mothers were told that it would improve the health status of their girls. Reasons for the increase in medicalisation included changes in people’s reference groups and social networks due to migration,and the availability of practising HCPs. While some participants were very confident that the practice would and should continue because it is a favourable and “useful” practice for girls,others highlighted a number of interventions including: awareness raising lectures and events,particularly in rural areas; the involvement of the government and media in FGM/C abandonment campaigns; enforcement of the law against FGM/C; and strengthening the role of school teachers,who were perceived to be effective in educating young girls who,in turn,were believed to have a role in convincing families to abandon the practice. Geographical coverage Region(s):Northern Africa Country(ies):Sudan Source

Medicalization of female genital cutting among the Abagusii in Nyanza Province,Kenya (2004)

This study is a Exploratory research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Carolyne Njue,Ian Askew FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: To understand the role that health providers play in the medicalization of female genital cutting (FGC) among the Abagusii community,whose members live primarily in the Kisii,Gucha,and Nyamira districts of Nyanza Province in western Kenya,and among whom the practice continues to be almost universal Study Population: Healthcare professionals,Community Informants,Parents,Young married,Unmarried Men,Women Findings: Several reasons emerged as to why the Abagusii continue practicing FGM/C. The predominant reason,from qualitative and quantitative data,was that FGM/C fulfils Abagusii customs and traditions that are deeply entrenched,especially among the older generation. Parents of circumcised girls spoke strongly of the importance of FGM/C as a cultural identifier of a member of the minority Abagusii community,distinguishing their daughters from their majority Luo neighbours who do not circumcise women. Geographical coverage Region(s):Eastern Africa Country(ies):Kenya Source

Medicalization of female genital cutting in Egypt (2009)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Refaat A FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: To estimate the determinants of the practice of FGC among Egyptian physicians Study Population: Physicians Findings: Responses from 193 physicians showed that while 88% of them knew at least one adverse physical or sexual consequence,18% approved of it,mostly as a religious observation (82%). Almost one-fifth (19%) of physicians practised FGM/C,mostly due to conviction (51%) or for profit (30%). A negative correlation was found between knowledge of the adverse consequences of FGM/C and both approval and practice. Cultural influences were the highest determinant (81%) followed by lack of knowledge (35%) Geographical coverage Region(s):Northern Africa Country(ies):Egypt Source

Medicalization of female genital cutting in Malaysia: A mixed methods study (2020)

This study is a Exploratory research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): A Rashid,Y Iguchi ,S Afiqah FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective:  to determine the extent of medicalization of FGC among doctors in Malaysia,who the doctors were who practiced it,how and what was practiced,and the motivations for the practice. Study Population: muslim medical doctors Findings: The main reason cited for practising FGC was religious obligation. Geographical coverage Region(s):Southeastern Asia Country(ies):Malaysia Source

Medicalization of Female Genital Cutting in Sapele Local Government Area,Delta State,Nigeria: The Implication for Health Care Provision in Nigeria (2021)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Ikechukwu I,Isah EC,Ehinze SE FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: This study assessed medicalization of FGC in Sapele Local Government Area,Delta State and made recommendations geared towards ending its practice. Study Population: reproductive age women (15 – 44 years) Findings: Results: Prevalence of FGC was 277 (55.2%),of which 223 (80.5%) were medicalized. The mean age of cutting was 16.8 ± 5.46 years and nurses performed majority 220 (79.4%) of them. Few 44 (8.8%) of the respondents were aware of possible complications of FGC. Qualitative findings indicated that FGC is still being practiced with nurses being reported as major practitioners.Conclusion: Despite concerted efforts to eliminate FGC,its practice is still propagated with increasing heath workers as practitioners. Advocacy and health education for women and girls as well as training and retraining of health care providers is imperative to check this trend. Geographical coverage Region(s):Western Africa Country(ies):Nigeria Source

Medicalization of female genital mutilation among professional health care workers in a referral hospital,north-western Nigeria (2014)

This study is a Exploratory research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Umar Abubakar S,Oche M Oche FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: To identify the predictors of professional health worker (PHW) practicing FGM/C in Sokoto,Nigeria.It contributed to the body of knowledge on FGM/C towards its elimination Study Population: Healthcare Professionals Findings: The study found that the overall,75(75%) of respondents’ had adequate knowledge with a mean score of 76.4+3. However,only 34% of the respondents have adequate knowledge on types of FGM/C which was statistically associated with the duration of practice (X2=4.74,df=1,P=0.03). Seven of the respondents (7%) had indicated that they have participated in the decision making process,and or directly in the conduct of FGM/C. Out of the seven respondents who had practiced FGM/C,none was within the past 12 months or conducted FGM/C in public health institution. The main predictors of practicing FGM that were statistically significant was tribe and attitude of respondents towards FGM/C Geographical coverage Region(s):Western Africa Country(ies):Nigeria Source

Medicalization of female genital mutilation. Harm reduction or unethical? (2014)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Pearce,A.J. and Bewley,S. FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: N/A. Objective: To explore arguments for and against medicalized forms of FGM. Study Population: Relied on articles Findings: Not stated Geographical coverage Region(s):Not specified Country(ies):Not specified Source

Medicalization of female genital mutilation/cutting (2013)

This study is a Exploratory research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): G Serour FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: To discuss FGM prevalence in Egypt and globally Study Population: Relied on articles Findings: The study found that the medicalization of FGM/C,including reinfibulation,although reduced the immediate health hazards of the procedure,underestimates its overall physical and psychological complications. Medicalization of all forms of FGM/C violated human rights,ethical principles of justice,beneficence and non mal-efficiency and the medical code of ethics. It created tacit approval that only propels this harmful cultural behavior,rather than tacit disapproval and encouragement to change the behavior Geographical coverage Region(s):Northern Africa Country(ies):Egypt Source