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Reproductive Health

2018

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting

Articles 1 - 9 of 9

Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Understanding The Key Elements For Designing And Implementing Social Marketing Campaigns To Inform The Development Of Creative Approaches For Fgm/C Abandonment In Sudan, Widad Ali A/Rahman, Samia Al Nagar, Randa H. Gindeel, Arwa Salah Jan 2018

Understanding The Key Elements For Designing And Implementing Social Marketing Campaigns To Inform The Development Of Creative Approaches For Fgm/C Abandonment In Sudan, Widad Ali A/Rahman, Samia Al Nagar, Randa H. Gindeel, Arwa Salah

Reproductive Health

Social marketing campaigns (SMCs) have gained prominence in female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) abandonment efforts, but there is a dearth of information on how these programs are designed and implemented, and their perceived impact. Understanding the implementation process and the effectiveness of these campaigns is critical for drawing lessons to improve existing programs and inform the design and scale up of SMCs in other regions/countries. This mixed-method study sought to address this gap by assessing the design and implementation of existing SMC programs in Sudan. While the study findings demonstrate several strengths of existing programs, including strong partnerships and extensive needs …


Collaborative Work With Somaliland Stakeholders To Increase Evidence Based Decision Making In Fgm/C, Chantalle Okondo Jan 2018

Collaborative Work With Somaliland Stakeholders To Increase Evidence Based Decision Making In Fgm/C, Chantalle Okondo

Reproductive Health

The Population Council collaborated with partners Orchid Project and Somaliland Family Health Association to pilot a new approach to disseminating research findings in order to increase the impact of evidence-based decisionmaking in program, policy, and investments in female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). This brief reports on a recent workshop that utilized an open space approach to encourage review of recent key evidence on FGM/C in Somaliland; explore UNICEF’s six elements of abandonment and their relevance to the Somaliland context; link research with decisionmaking; and develop action plans. Participants identified six key themes for further reflection: behavioral/social change, medicalization, policy, child rights, …


Trends In Medicalisation Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: What Do The Data Reveal?, Bettina Shell-Duncan, Carolyne Njue, Zhuzhi Moore Jan 2018

Trends In Medicalisation Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: What Do The Data Reveal?, Bettina Shell-Duncan, Carolyne Njue, Zhuzhi Moore

Reproductive Health

Despite the emergence of international consensus that female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a violation of human rights, a focus on medicalization remains salient because of concerns that FGM/C is increasingly being performed by healthcare professionals and may be impeding progress toward abandonment of FGM/C. To investigate these claims, this study draws on nationally representative survey data from 26 countries, and addresses the following three questions: 1) What are the major patterns and trends in medicalisation? 2) Is there an association between medicalization and rates of change in prevalence of FGM/C? and 3) Is there an association between medicalization and support …


Medicalisation Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting In Sudan: Shift In Types And Providers, Nafisa Bedri, Huda Sherfi, Ghada Rudwan, Sara Elhadi, Wafa Elamin Jan 2018

Medicalisation Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting In Sudan: Shift In Types And Providers, Nafisa Bedri, Huda Sherfi, Ghada Rudwan, Sara Elhadi, Wafa Elamin

Reproductive Health

This study by the Population Council and the Gender and Reproductive Health and Rights Resource and Advocacy Center aimed to inform the development of future interventions by generating evidence on the drivers of the shifts in the practice of female genital cutting/mutilation (FGM/C) in Sudan. Researchers conducted a community-based cross-sectional, comparative, mixed-methods study that examined shifts in the type of cut, its level and significance, as well as the supply and demand factors associated with medicalization. They also explored interventions and alternative approaches that may prevent medicalization and the sustenance of the practice of FGM/C, including re-infibulation. The study finds …


Changes In Fgm/C In Somaliland: Medical Narrative Driving Shift In Types Of Cutting, Richard A. Powell, Mohamed Yussuf Jan 2018

Changes In Fgm/C In Somaliland: Medical Narrative Driving Shift In Types Of Cutting, Richard A. Powell, Mohamed Yussuf

Reproductive Health

In Somalia, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) prevalence is nearly universal at 98 percent. This qualitative study sought to explore: 1) views and experiences of married and unmarried men and women on FGM/C and potential changes in its practice; 2) individual, family, and societal factors contributing to any changes, or continuation of FGM/C; 3) the knowledge, views, and experiences of healthcare workers who offer FGM/C services and their role as change agents rather than providers; and 4) how healthcare systems’ capacities can be strengthened for management and prevention. The study finds that normative changes appear to be occurring in Somaliland society …


Shifts In Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting In Kenya: Perspectives Of Families And Health Care Providers, Samuel Kimani, Caroline W. Kabiru Jan 2018

Shifts In Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting In Kenya: Perspectives Of Families And Health Care Providers, Samuel Kimani, Caroline W. Kabiru

Reproductive Health

Despite compelling reasons and efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in Kenya, the practice has persisted, albeit with some changes. This study sought to understand the shifts in FGM/C among families and healthcare providers from selected Kenyan communities that practice FGM/C. Our findings highlight similarities and differences across three distinct Kenyan communities. FGM/C appears to persist through two models: first, shifts (changes) in the practice, notably cutting at a younger age, lesser cutting; and second, through stability and consistency with minimal change. The two diverse models appear to rely on and sustain social norms that support FGM/C in these …


Tracing Change In Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Shifting Norms And Practices Among Communities In Narok And Kisii Counties, Kenya, Dennis Matanda, Chantalle Okondo, Caroline W. Kabiru, Bettina Shell-Duncan Jan 2018

Tracing Change In Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Shifting Norms And Practices Among Communities In Narok And Kisii Counties, Kenya, Dennis Matanda, Chantalle Okondo, Caroline W. Kabiru, Bettina Shell-Duncan

Reproductive Health

In Kenya, there has been a steady and marked decline in the prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) but there is great variance in the prevalence of FGM/C across the country, with prevalence remaining high among certain ethnic groups such as Somali, Samburu, Kisii, and the Maasai. The objectives of this study were: 1) to explore whether and how unprogrammed factors or programmed FGM/C interventions (alternative rites of passage, legal and policy measures, religious-oriented approaches, promotion of girls’ education, intergenerational dialogues, use of rescue centers, and other undocumented approaches) influence community values deliberation in Narok and Kisii counties; 2) to …


Exploring The Nigerian Health System's Response To Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting, Otibho Obianwu Jan 2018

Exploring The Nigerian Health System's Response To Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting, Otibho Obianwu

Reproductive Health

Although Nigeria has shown a steady long-term decline in female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) prevalence, the practice remains widespread. This study brief outlines the Population Council’s Evidence to End FGM/C research program, which, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, will conduct a diagnostic assessment in order to: 1) examine how the healthcare sector supports the prevention of FGM/C; 2) determine the role of the healthcare sector in the management of FGM/C-related complications and the quality of care offered to clients; and 3) identify possible solutions for strengthening the healthcare system’s capacity to manage and prevent FGM/C. Findings are intended …


Understanding Medicalisation Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (Fgm/C): A Qualitative Study Of Parents And Health Workers In Nigeria, Otibho Obianwu, Adetayo Adetunji, Osasuyi Dirisu Jan 2018

Understanding Medicalisation Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (Fgm/C): A Qualitative Study Of Parents And Health Workers In Nigeria, Otibho Obianwu, Adetayo Adetunji, Osasuyi Dirisu

Reproductive Health

This community-based, cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted in four communities in Nigeria’s Delta, and was conceptualized to address gaps in our understanding of medicalization of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and to provide critical evidence needed to effectively design abandonment interventions. The study findings reveal that the social norms driving FGM/C practice remain entrenched despite a shift to medicalization. They also reflect the tendency of parents and health workers to view FGM/C, whether traditional or medicalized, as a minor procedure with few complications and significant benefits that would positively impact a daughter’s future status as a wife and mother. Findings reveal …