Listening to African Voices. Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting among Immigrants in Hamburg: Knowledge,Attitudes and Practice (2011)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Behrendt,Alice
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: To listen to the opinions,perceptions and propositions of immigrants from Sub-Saharan Africa regarding the practice of FGM/C
Study Population: key informants,men and women
Findings: According to official records,about 11,200 immigrants from Sub-Saharan Africa reside in Hamburg. The findings of the current study indicate that about 40% of these immigrants have roots in families where FGM/C is practiced. There are more men from practicing families than women due to the considerably higher proportion of men immigrants from certain countries in West Africa (Guinea,Burkina Faso,Gambia,Cote d’Ivoire) in which there is a moderate to high prevalence of FGM/C. The majority of immigrants from practicing groups ( ≈ 70%) associates FGM/C with one or more advantages,notably the social acceptance of their community,better marriage prospects as well as the reduction of the sexual desire in women. Furthermore,about 18% of the participants from practicing groups perceive FGM/C as a religious requirement. There are both Christians and Muslims in this group,although the Muslims represent the greater proportion. About two-thirds of the participants reported some awareness of the risks and harm arising from the practice of FGM/C. The proportion was significantly smaller among immigrants from practicing families. The lowest degree of awareness was found among members of the Guinean and Gambian communities. It can be estimated that at least 30% of women immigrants from Sub-Saharan Africa underwent FGM/C before migrating to Europe. The most common types are: Type 1 (Partial or total removal of the clitoris and/or the prepuce ) and Type II (Partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora,with or without excision of the labia majora). Infibulations seem to be a rare exception.
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Western Europe
Country(ies):Germany