Female genital mutilation and cutting in the Arab League and diaspora: A systematic review of preventive interventions

Abstract

Female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C) is a hybrid term used to express a wide variety of procedures altering or removing the external genitalia of women for non-medical reasons [1,2]. These procedures change normal genital functioning, leaving women at high risk of infections, urinary complications and increased risk of gynaecological, sexual and obstetric complications [3][4][5]. One modelling analysis across six African countries estimated 130,000 lost life years due to obstetric haemorrhage associated with FGM/C [6].

Female genital mutilation: trends, economic burden of delay and basis for public health interventions

“…This distinction may help planning of interventions within the needs of the country. Systematic literature reviews (SLR) indicate a list of effective interventions that include participatory action research, multisectoral approach, and long-term planning have all together an effect as it considers the enablers and barriers permeating the entire society like education-based interventions, including training, and empowerment [ 13 , 24 , 25 ]. The SLR identify shortcomings like the lack of involvement of men, the absence of a multisectoral approach, or just collecting surveys about the health belief model which are not effective to demonstrate change [ 2 , 13 , 14 ].…”

“…Systematic literature reviews (SLR) indicate a list of effective interventions that include participatory action research, multisectoral approach, and long-term planning have all together an effect as it considers the enablers and barriers permeating the entire society like education-based interventions, including training, and empowerment [ 13 , 24 , 25 ]. The SLR identify shortcomings like the lack of involvement of men, the absence of a multisectoral approach, or just collecting surveys about the health belief model which are not effective to demonstrate change [ 2 , 13 , 14 ]. This study shows that it is important to compare the interventions against changes in outcomes of FGM practice, and maybe observe the particularities of the practice within the wealth-quintiles or place of residence.…”

“…Many public health interventions have been established to eliminate the practice [ 11 ], such as legislation to criminalize the practice or anti-FGM campaigns or education, but eradication is hindered by political commitment and continuous investment to eliminate the practice [ 4 , 12 ]. To understand the effectiveness of interventions [ 2 , 13 , 14 ], it is worth noting that research and interventions focused on the practice as the countries where it is practiced were the same, ignoring particularities in each of this countries or the reasons behind the practice [ 3 , 9 , 13 ]. However, the gap lies in understanding better the practice of FGM within its specific country.…”

“…Economic burden includes all the yearly costs associated with the treating a wider range of health conditions associated with FGM. Hence, more evidence is needed to monitor the reduction of FGM prevalence rates as well as the reduction of economic burden in these countries through time and gain insights for improving scale-up interventions [ 2 , 13 ] in terms of which interventions effectively reduce the prevalence and which are the main barriers [ 15 ]. For instance, there are some qualitative studies indicating that COVID-19 affected the health interventions and the allocation of resources because of the lockdowns [ 11 , 16 ] but not much is known about the economic burden caused by COVID-19 because the interventions were stalled and the projected abandonment could not occur.…”

Sexual health challenges in migrant, immigrant, and displaced populations 2022–2023

“…Therefore, larger investment in community support groups, peer-educators and interpreters will not only improve may improve HIV/STI and other sexual health disparities [59,86]. Developing supportive environments through peer-led advocacy and provider sensitivity training could help produce long-term, sustainable improvements to sexual health while at the same time, enhance sex equity [88–90].…”