Improving care for women and girls who have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting: qualitative systematic reviews (2019)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Evans,C.,Tweheyo,R.,McGarry,J.,Eldridge,J.,Albert,J.,Nkoyo,V.,& Higginbottom,G. (2019).
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: To undertake two systematic reviews of qualitative evidence to illuminate the experiences,needs,barriers and facilitators around seeking and providing female genital mutilation-/cutting-related health care from the perspectives of (1) women and girls who have experienced female genital mutilation/ cutting (review 1) and (2) health professionals (review 2)
Study Population: (1) women and girls who have experienced female genital mutilation/ cutting (review 1) and (2) health professionals (review 2).
Findings: Seventy-eight papers (74 distinct studies) met the inclusion criteria for both reviews: 57 papers in review 1 (n=18 from the UK),30 papers in review 2 (n=5 from the UK) and nine papers common to both. Review 1 comprised 17 descriptive themes synthesised into five analytical themes. Women’s health-care experiences related to female genital mutilation/cutting were shaped by silence and stigma,which hindered care-seeking and access to care,especially for non-pregnant women. Across all countries,women reported emotionally distressing and disempowering care experiences. There was limited awareness of specialist service provision. Good care depended on having a trusting relationship with a culturally sensitive and knowledgeable provider. Review 2 comprised 20 descriptive themes synthesised into six analytical themes. Providers from many settings reported feeling uncomfortable talking about female genital mutilation/cutting,lacking sufficient knowledge and struggling with language barriers. This led to missed opportunities for,and suboptimal management of,female genital mutilation-/cutting-related care. More positive experiences/practices were reported in contexts where there was input from specialists and where there were clear processes to address language barriers and to support timely identification,referral and follow-up
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Not specified
Country(ies):Not specified