Female genital mutilation in Africa: Scoping the landscape of evidence

Obiora, Oluchukwu Loveth; Maree, Johanna E.; Nkosi-Mafutha, Nokuthula Gloria

doi:10.1016/j.ijans.2019.100189

Cited by 11 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Being restrained and scared and in pain could have made it impossible for them to see what was buried in the small hole at the circumcision site. However, clitoridectomy seems to be the most common FGM/C procedure conducted in Africa (Ekenze et al., 2007; Kaplan, Hechavarría, Bernal, & Bonhoure, 2013; Kaplan, Hechavarría, Martín, & Bonhoure, 2011; Obiora, Maree, & Nkosi‐Mafutha, 2019a, 2019b). This could have also applied to our participants but could be mere speculation and should be investigated before conclusions are made.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Evidence has shown that the reasons for continuing FGM/C are culturally and religiously based (Eleanor, 2015; Mberu, 2017; WHO, 2018). Many people value the tradition and believe it will bring loss of cultural identity should FGM/C be discontinued (Edeh, 2017; Onuoha, 2018), and some communities have even medicalised the practice (Mberu, 2017; Obiora, Maree, & Nkosi‐Mafutha, 2019a, 2019b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a current literature review focusing on work conducted on FGM/C in Africa, the authors found the studies conducted between 2007–2016 primarily investigated the prevalence of FGM/C, the health consequences associated with the practice, the intention to continue FGM/C, motivators and perpetrators for this practice and the association of FGM/C with intimate partner violence. None of the studies focused on the experiences of women who had undergone this procedure (Obiora, Maree, & Nkosi‐Mafutha, 2019a, 2019b). Therefore, the current study is an attempt to address the identified knowledge gap, by answering the following research question: What are the experiences of young women in south‐eastern Nigeria who had undergone FGM/C?…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Experiences of young women who underwent female genital mutilation/cutting

Obiora

Maree

Nkosi-Mafutha

2020

Journal of Clinical Nursing

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Aim and objectives: To describe the FGM/C experiences of young women living in Nigeria. Background: Globally, several activities have been targeted at ending female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). However, the practice is ongoing, especially in countries such as Nigeria, which is reported to be having a population boom. Therefore, there is a need to investigate the FGM/C experiences of young women in such countries so that efforts towards ending it can be accelerated using evidence-based, community-led interventions. Design: A qualitative descriptive design. Methods: The study took place in two states of southeastern Nigeria with a high prevalence of FGM/C. The snowball sampling method was used to recruit 22 women, aged 20-40, who had undergone FGM/C. Participant's experiences were explored through semi-structured interviews, and the qualitative content analysis was used for data analysis. The consolidated checklist for reporting of qualitative studies guided the reporting of this study. Findings: Three themes and seven subthemes emerged from the data. The themes were as follows: cultural issues, life as a circumcised woman and the future with FGM/C. Half of the participants could not recall their experiences on the day of their circumcision, as they were circumcised at infancy. However, those who were older when circumcised experienced it as a painful, traumatic experience forced upon them. Some of the participants experienced sexual and childbirth problems due to this procedure, and this was of great concern to them. Conclusion: Female genital mutilation/cutting was a traumatic experience forced on the participants. They felt helpless as they could not choose and had to do the "right thing." Despite the trauma and complications caused by the cutting, some still supported the continuation of the practice. Relevance to clinical practice: Understanding the experiences of genitally mutilated women could assist healthcare practitioners in rendering quality, and contextualised services to these women.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Experiences of young women who underwent female genital mutilation/cutting

Obiora

Maree

Nkosi-Mafutha

2020

Journal of Clinical Nursing

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“…Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), also referred to as Female Genital Cutting (FGC) or Female Circumcision (FC), has drawn considerable attention from many organisations and researchers worldwide [ 1 ]. Even though this harmful practice is a contributor to the high morbidity and mortality rates among females, it continues among many ethnic groups, especially in African countries such as Egypt, Ethiopia and Nigeria, as it is based on myths and religion passed from generation to generation [ 2 , 3 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies have reported long- and short-term consequences of FGM/C, which included keloids formation, painful urination, menstrual problems, obstetric fistula, perinatal risks, the risk for infections, prolonged childbirth, need for later surgeries, such as de-infibulation, and psychological problems [ 1 ]. This places a great burden on the health system and the healthcare workers because genitally mutilated females might need special care and medical attention, as the long‐term health problems are in many cases irreversible [ 10 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“A lot of them have scary tears during childbirth…” experiences of healthcare workers who care for genitally mutilated females

2021

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Despite concerted efforts to curb Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C), it is still a contributor to the high morbidity and mortality rates among females in Africa. According to available literature, the experiences of healthcare workers who care for the genitally mutilated females in Nigeria have not been described, hindering efforts towards ending this procedure through evidence-based, community-led interventions. This qualitative study described the experiences of healthcare workers caring for the genitally mutilated females in South-Eastern Nigeria. In-depth interviews conducted with 17 participants resulted in two themes and five sub-themes. The participants faced major challenges in caring for these females as the complications of FGM/C resulted in situations requiring advanced skills for which they were ill-prepared. Irrespective of this complex situation, the participants believed FGM/C was an age-old cultural practice; some even supported its continuation. The solution to this problem is not simple. However, educational programmes involving all cadres of healthcare workers could assist with eradicating this practice. Also, enforcing the anti-FGMC law could enhance the eradication of this procedure.

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