Influence of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting on Health Morbidity,Health Service Utilization and Satisfaction with Care among Somali Women and Teenage Girls in the United States (2022)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Johnson-Agbakwu,C.E.,Fox,K.A.,Banke-Thomas,A. et al
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: The study was a comprehensive examination of health morbidity among women and teenage girls with and without FGM/C in a Somali migrant community.
Study Population: Somali Women and Teenage Girls in the United States
Findings: The majority of respondents had undergone FGM/C (79%). Respondents with FGM/C experienced significantly more health concerns compared to uncut women and girls,with those possessing Type III FGM/C experiencing significantly more obstetric,gynecologic,sexual,and mental health morbidity than those with Type I or Type II. Rates of service use,while varied,were low overall,particularly for mental health services,even with health insurance. The majority of respondents who sought care indicated that their concerns were resolved,and they were satisfied with the healthcare received.Conclusions
Community-engaged strategies that build upon satisfaction with care of women who seek care to enhance trust,nurture community embeddedness and facilitate peer navigation,while equipping health and social service providers with the competency and tools to provide respectful,trauma-informed care,will be critical to advance health equity for FGM/C-affected communities.
Geographical coverage
Region(s):North America
Country(ies):United States