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

http://www.campbellcollaboration.org/lib/index.php?go=browse&sort=title&view=all& nr 84

Denison E, Berg RC, Lewin S, Odgaard-Jensen J. Interventions to reduce the prevalence of female genital mutilation/ cutting in African countries. Protocol. Campbell Systematic Reviews. 18. Feb. 2011

Funded by 3IE.

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is practised in more than 28 countries in Africa and in some countries in the Middle East and Asia. It is rooted in religious, personal and societal beliefs within a frame of psycho-sexual and social issues such as control of women’s sexuality and family honour. These are, in turn, enforced by community mechanisms. There is great variation in FGM/C prevalence between and within countries, reflecting ethnicity and tradition. FGM/C is associated with numerous immediate and long term health risks and has a range of psychological, social, and sexual consequences. It is recognized by the WHO as a violation of the human rights of girls and women.

A definite decline in the prevalence of FGM/C has not been observed in spite of legislation against FGM/C in many African countries and in most Western countries that receive immigrants from countries where FGM/C is practised. Interventions to reduce the prevalence of FGM/C have used several approaches. For example, some are based on human rights frameworks while others involve training health workers as change agents, creating alternative rites and attempting to facilitate comprehensive social development. These interventions have targeted stakeholders at individual, interpersonal, community and national levels. Reported outcomes are mostly related to knowledge, attitudes, intentions and behaviours. Few studies appear to measure and report the effects of these interventions on the prevalence of FGM/C. All intervention studies identified by our systematic review earlier this year were carried out in African countries.

The research questions are:

1. What is the effectiveness of interventions to reduce the prevalence of FGM/C compared to no or anyother 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?