PROTOCOL: Interventions to reduce the prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting in African countries

Denison, Eva; Berg, Rigmor C.; Lewin, Simon; Odgaard‐Jensen, Jan

doi:10.1002/cl2.82

Cited by 4 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…More recently, the authors of the present systematic review specifically examined the effectiveness of interventions to reduce the prevalence of FGM/C in a systematic review (Denison et al, 2009). Through our literature search of February 2009 we identified a total of seven controlled studies, six of which could be obtained in full text.…”

Section: Interventions To Reduce the Prevalence Of Fgm/cmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…First, for level 1 screening, two reviewers (RB and ED) independently performed an assessment of the identified records by reading the title, and when available, abstract. The pre-developed inclusion questions for level 1 were based on the inclusion criteria described above (questions available in the protocol, Denison et al, 2011). The reviewers answered each question 'Yes' (=promote), or 'Can't tell' (=promote), or 'No' (=exclude, do not promote).…”

Section: Screening and Selection Of Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Second, for level 2 screening, the same two reviewers (RB and ED) independently evaluated the full text of each record promoted from level 1 screening for inclusion, in accordance with Cochrane guidelines. They again used a pre-developed inclusion form (available in Denison et al, 2011) based on the inclusion criteria described above. There was a separate set of screening questions for records describing the effect of interventions and records reporting on reasons for the perpetuation of FGM/C.…”

Section: Screening and Selection Of Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

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Interventions to reduce the prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting in African countries

Berg¹,

Denison²

2012

Campbell Systematic Reviews

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This Campbell systematic review examines the empirical research on the effectiveness of female genital mutilation/cutting (‘FGM/C’) interventions to reduce the occurrence of FGM/C practices in the 28 African countries that carry out FGM/C practices. The review also examines the empirical research on contextual factors that may help explain the effectiveness, or lack thereof, of such interventions. It summarises findings from 8 effectiveness studies and 27 context studies conducted in seven different African countries: Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ethiopia, Somalia/Kenya, Mali, Nigeria and Senegal. Interventions to encourage the abandonment of FGM/C have positive effects on attitudes, but no effect was found on the practice of FGM/C itself. The lack of effects may be due to weak study design, including small samples, and high heterogeneity among the included studies. The main factors that supported FGM/C were tradition, religion, and reduction of women's sexual desire. The main factors that hindered FGM/C were medical complications and prevention of sexual satisfaction. Key messages This systematic review aimed to answer the following research questions: 1.What is the effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce the prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) compared to no or other active intervention? 2.How do factors related to the continuance and discontinuance of FGM/C help explain the effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce the prevalence of FGM/C? We used an integrative evidence approach, whereby analyses of effectiveness data and context data were completed in separate streams, but where we in the final step integrated the results from the two sets of data in a realist synthesis approach. We included eight effectiveness studies (research question 1). All employed a controlled before‐and‐after study design. The quality assessment resulted in a final decision of weak study quality for all eight studies, which involved 7,042 participants residing in seven different African countries: Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ethiopia, Somalia/Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal. We could perform four meta‐analyses but there was doubt about the validity of all results. The results showed that the effectiveness of the included interventions was limited, although they pointed to potential advantageous developments, such as positive changes in attitudes and knowledge regarding FGM/C, as a result of the FGM/C abandonment interventions. We included 27 context studies (research question 2) from the countries where an effectiveness study had taken place (we did not identify any studies from Ethiopia). The synthesis of context studies showed that the factors related to the continuance and discontinuance of FGM/C varied across contexts, but the main factors that supported FGM/C were tradition, religion, and reduction of women's sexual desire. The main factors that hindered FGM/C were medical complications and prevention of sexual satisfaction. Our ability to conclude regarding both the question of effectiveness of FGM/C ...

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Section: Interventions To Reduce the Prevalence Of Fgm/cmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Screening and Selection Of Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Screening and Selection Of Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

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Interventions to reduce the prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting in African countries

Berg¹,

Denison²

2012

Campbell Systematic Reviews

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“…Evidence shows that training can be effective in imparting knowledge to health-care workers [ 56 , 57 ]; enhance their skills in managing complications related to FGM in health-care settings [ 58 ] as well as evaluating the risk of exposure to FGM [ 59 ]; and might change their attitudes towards FGM [ 56 ] or even be critical for rejecting/preventing the practice [ 56 , 60 ]. However, in contrast, other systematic reviews suggested that training health personnel did not change their knowledge and beliefs/attitudes regarding FGM and fewer providers wished to play a role in educating clients about the practice and a sense of advocacy among participating health personnel appeared weak [ 10 , 11 ]. Although there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of interventions at the service level, available evidence shows that training health-care providers can improve their knowledge and skills to act as agents of change in the prevention of FGM and offer quality services to clients seeking care post-FGM [ 56 , 58 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

What interventions are effective to prevent or respond to female genital mutilation? A review of existing evidence from 2008–2020

Matanda

Eekert

Croce-Galis³

et al. 2023

PLOS Glob Public Health

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As the final decade of acceleration towards zero new cases of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM, SDG Target 5.3) by 2030 has begun, increasing the rigour, relevance, and utility of research for programming, policy development and resource allocation is critical. This study aimed to synthesize and assess the quality and strength of existing evidence on interventions designed to prevent or respond to FGM between 2008 and 2020.The study drew on a Rapid Evidence Assessment of the available literature on FGM interventions. The quality of studies was assessed using the ‘How to Note: Assessing the Strength of Evidence’ guidelines published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and strength of evidence using a modified Gray scale developed by the What Works Association. Of the 7698 records retrieved, 115 studies met the inclusion criteria. Of the 115 studies, 106 were of high and moderate quality and were included in the final analysis. This review shows that at the system level, legislation-related interventions must be multifaceted to be effective. Whilst all levels would benefit from more research, for the service level especially more research is needed into how the health system can effectively prevent and respond to FGM. Community-level interventions are effective for changing attitudes towards FGM, but more must be done to innovate with these interventions so that they move beyond affecting attitudes alone to creating behaviour change. At the individual level, formal education is effective in reducing FGM prevalence among girls. However, the returns of formal education in ending FGM may take many years to be realized. Interventions targeting intermediate outcomes, such as improvement in knowledge and change in attitudes and beliefs towards FGM, are equally needed at the individual level.

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“…41 Another preventative aspect is effective educational interventions. Denison et al (2009) 42 showed that community empowerment through education and multifaceted social activities was more effective than training health personnel in reducing the prevalence of female genital mutilation. Education is a key indicator of protecting women from circumcision.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental Health Disorders in Circumcised Reproductive-age Women, Legal Dimensions and Prevention Strategies: A Narrative Review

Alidost

Abbasi

Ghamsari

et al. 2023

Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet

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Objective: Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) can affect women's lives through various physical, psychological, social and even sexual mechanisms. According to the World Health Organization guidelines for managing the health effects of FGM/C, further research into its psychological effects and preventative measures is required. In this study, a comprehensive review of the mental health consequences of circumcised women of reproductive age has been conducted with a special focus on providing preventive solutions. Methods: A comprehensive search of the Web of Science, PubMed(MEDLINE), Proquest, Scopus and Google scholar was carried outfrom 2000 to 2022. The second stage of search was conducted in grey literature. To facilitate a systematic approach to search the literature, the PECO framework, was adopted. Results: The result of this narrative review study showed that, the most common mental health disorder in reproductive age circumcised women were depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Some studies found a significant relationship between parents' education level and circumcised girls, so that parents of the circumcised women had a low level of education. Two studies considered religious beliefs, tradition, cleanness, sexual desire control and virginity as the reasons for FGM/C. Conclusion: All forms of FGM/C may be harmful to one's health. Women, who have undergone widespread forms of circumcision, are more likely to develop mental disorders. As the psychosocial effects of circumcision can affect the sexual experience of circumcised women, addressing this issue, emphasizing its legal aspects, and providing preventative solutions can improve physical, mental, social, and even sexual health in circumcised women.

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PROTOCOL: Interventions to reduce the prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting in African countries

Cited by 4 publications

References 31 publications

Interventions to reduce the prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting in African countries

Interventions to reduce the prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting in African countries

What interventions are effective to prevent or respond to female genital mutilation? A review of existing evidence from 2008–2020

Mental Health Disorders in Circumcised Reproductive-age Women, Legal Dimensions and Prevention Strategies: A Narrative Review

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