Factors Promoting and Hindering the Practice of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) [Internet]

Excerpt

Background In November 2008, the Norwegian Knowledge Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies (NKVTS) commissioned the Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services (NOKC) to conduct a systematic review about the factors promoting and hindering female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), from the viewpoints of stakeholders residing in Western countries. The review would answer the question: What are the factors promoting and hindering the practice of FGM/C, as expressed by stakeholders residing in Western countries?

Methods We searched systematically for relevant literature in international scientific databases, in databases of international organisations that are engaged in aspects related to FGM/C, and in reference lists of relevant reviews and included studies. Additionally, we communicated with professionals working with FGM/C related issues. We selected studies according to pre-specified criteria, appraised the methodological quality using checklists, and summarized the study level results in tables before performing an integrative evidence synthesis. Our conclusions were summed in a conceptual model.

Results We included and summarized results from 25 studies, of which 16 were qualitative investigations, eight were quantitative studies, and one was a mixed-methods study. There were three stakeholders groups: exiled members from communities where FGM/C is practiced, health workers, and government officials. The results of these stakeholders' perceptions showed that the continuance of FGM/C is largely attributable to six factors: cultural tradition, the interconnected factors sexual morals and marriageability, religion, health benefits, and male sexual enjoyment. Factors perceived as hindering its continuance included health consequences, that it is not a religious requirement, that it is illegal, and that host society discourses reject FGM/C.

Conclusion Our results show that an intricate web of cultural, social, religious, and medical pretexts for FGM/C exists. However, more research is needed to understand the totality and interconnectedness of factors promoting and hindering FGM/C among exiled members of practicing communities.

Keywords: Female genital mutilation/cutting; factors; promoting; hindering; Western societies.