The Applicability of the Theory of Planned Behavior for Research and Care of Female Genital Cutting

Attitude and intention of migrant populations in the Netherlands regarding female genital mutilation/cutting

“…Second, due to sensitivity of the topic and the illegal status of the practice in the Netherlands, participants may have provided socially desirable answers during the FGDs and interviews. Nonetheless, although migrants may be unwilling to disclose their intention to perform FGM/C, data on attitudes regarding FGM/C may be more reliable than intention [ 24 ].…”

“…However, similar to Mackie and LeJeune [ 20 ] and Barrett and colleagues [ 23 ], we are of the opinion that beliefs and norms are better understood not only at the community levels but also at the individual level. The TPB combines elements from theories of individual behavioral change and of theories that regard FGM/C as a social convention [ 24 ].…”

Response to Commentaries: Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior to Female Genital Cutting and Deinfibulation

“…They appreciated that we "recommend a truly sensitive and respectful attitude toward women with female genital cutting" and that we "highlight the urgency of seeing the wider context that may impact women's choices in order to promote shared decision-making in clinical encounters." Similarly, Johansen (2020) found our conceptual paper to be a "breath of fresh air into research on female genital cutting." Johansen approved of our efforts to "formulate a tool that supports providers in offering improved health care for girls and women."…”

“…We also noted that a woman may prefer to invite individuals who are close to her (e.g., elder female relatives, husband) during a clinical conversation about FGC and deinfibulation. In their commentaries, Johnsdotter and Essén (2020) and Johansen (2020) specifically recommended that, with a woman's agreement, her partner be included in clinical conversations. We suggest that women be given the agency to determine whether they provide information in a dyadic or group…”

“…Several colleagues highlighted body image, sexual feeling, and discourse on sexuality and FGC-related medical procedures as factors that many influence a decision to be deinfibulated. Gruenbaum (2020) and Johansen (2020) noted that, in some communities, infibulation is valued for its aesthetic appearance, leading women to think an infibulated vulva is beautiful and sexy and a deinfibulated vulva is ugly and unattractive. Gruenbaum has interviewed women with favorable attitudes toward reinfibulation because they felt like "new virgins," had enjoyable sex and orgasms after the procedure, and were confident of their husbands' pleasure.…”