Mother,daughter,doctor: Medical professionals and mothers’ decision-making about Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Egypt (2014)
This study is a Exploratory research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Sepideh Modrek,Maia Sieverding
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: To examine the role of consultations between mothers and medical professionals in the perpetuation of the practice
Study Population: Mothers,medical professionals
Findings: 37% of Muslim respondents indicated that they intended to seek a doctor’s opinion in deciding whether or not to perform FGM/C on their daughter. Demand for this consultation was created by uncertainty over the harms of FGM/C,as well as the perception that the practice is medically recommended for some girls. Respondents reported doctors conducting a physical examination of the daughter and subsequently recommending to cut,not to cut,or to wait and re-examine at an older age. The majority of respondents expressed high levels of trust in doctors,suggesting substantial accordance between the doctor’s recommendation and actual FGM/C practice. These findings indicate that greater sensitization of medical professionals,not only illegalization,is necessary in order to further reduce the prevalence of FGM/C. Doctors could be a force for abandonment if mothers value their opinions regarding FGM/C,but only if doctors consistently recommend against the practice.
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Northern Africa
Country(ies):Egypt