Daughter circumcision and maternal life satisfaction: a cultural moderation effect revealed across two multicountry studies.

INTRODUCTION: The present paper assessed the relationship between maternal life satisfaction (MLS) and the intergenerational transmission of female genital cutting (FGC, female circumcision). It was hypothesised that the association would be more strongly positive in countries in which FGC is more prevalent (ie, culturally normative), suggesting a practice that is socially reinforcing within sociocultural contexts in which it is common. METHODS: Across two studies with more than 85 000 participants in 15 African and Asian countries, mothers completed surveys reporting on their own FGC experiences and those of their daughters' and on their educational history and socioeconomic status. RESULTS: The association between MLS and daughter circumcision was weak but positive for the full sample. Contrary to predictions, in countries in which FGC is uncommon, it was more positively associated with MLS, and in countries in which it is common, it was weakly or negatively associated with MLS. CONCLUSION: Results are contrary to the notion that the intergenerational transmission of FGC is a function of happiness deriving from its cultural normativity. They suggest, instead, a diversity of social motives depending on cultural context. Customised messaging to reduce the intergenerational transmission of FGC is discussed.

Six aspects of female genital mutilation education (SAFE) model: findings from a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: Recent figures show that over 200 million women and girls, globally, live with the consequences of female genital mutilation (FGM). Complex debilitating physical, psychological and social problems result from the practice. Health education interventions have proven to be essential in both preventing the practice and informing support of survivors. In this study, we aimed to explore factors that affect the effectiveness of health education interventions. DESIGN: A generic qualitative approach was applied using semistructured individual and focus group interviews with women and men from communities with a history of FGM in Birmingham, UK. Framework analysis was used to group recurring themes from the data. Intersectionality was used as a theoretical lens to synthesise findings. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-one individuals (18 women and 3 men) participated in semistructured individual and focus group interviews about their views and experiences of health and well-being intervention programmes related to FGM. RESULTS: Six themes emerged from the data and were developed into a model of issues relating to FGM education. These six themes are (1) active communication, (2) attitudes and beliefs, (3) knowledge about FGM, (4) social structures, (5) programme approach and (6) the better future. A combined discussion of all these issues was compressed into three groupings: social structures, culture and media. CONCLUSION: The results of this study depict aspects associated with FGM education that should be considered by future interventions aiming to prevent the practice and inform support services for survivors in a holistic way.

Female genital mutilation and safer sex negotiation among women in sexual unions in sub-Saharan Africa: Analysis of demographic and health survey data.

BACKGROUND: The practice of female genital mutilation is associated with harmful social norms promoting violence against girls and women. Various studies have been conducted to examine the prevalence of female genital mutilation and its associated factors. However, there has been limited studies conducted to assess the association between female genital mutilation and markers of women's autonomy, such as their ability to negotiate for safer sex. In this study, we examined the association between female genital mutilation and women's ability to negotiate for safer sex in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). METHODS: We pooled data from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted from 2010 to 2020. Data from a sample of 50,337 currently married and cohabiting women from eleven sub-Saharan African countries were included in the study. A multilevel binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between female genital mutilation and women's ability to refuse sex and ask their partners to use condom. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to present the findings of the logistic regression analysis. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Female genital mutilation was performed on 56.1% of women included in our study. The highest and lowest prevalence of female genital mutilation were found among women from Guinea (96.3%) and Togo (6.9%), respectively. We found that women who had undergone female genital mutilation were less likely to refuse sex from their partners (aOR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.86, 0.96) and ask their partners to use condoms (aOR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.78, 0.86) compared to those who had not undergone female genital mutilation. CONCLUSION: Female genital mutilation hinders women's ability to negotiate for safer sex. It is necessary to implement health education and promotion interventions (e.g., decision making skills) that assist women who have experienced female genital mutilation to negotiate for safer sex. These interventions are crucial to enhance sexual health outcomes for these women. Further, strict enforcement of policies and laws aimed at eradicating the practice of female genital mutilation are encouraged to help contribute to the improvement of women's reproductive health.

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

BACKGROUND: The practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) is a health and social problem. Millions of girls and women have undergone FGM or will soon, and more information is needed to effectively reduce the practice. The aim of this research is to provide an overview of the FGM trendlines, the inequality of its prevalence, and the economic burden. The findings shed light on 30-year trends and the impact of the pandemic on planned efforts to reduce FGM which helps with public health interventions. METHODS: Temporal trend analysis, and graphical analysis were used to assess the change and inequality over the last 30 years. We included 27 countries in which FGM is prevalent. We calculated the extra economic burden of delayed interventions to reduce FGM like COVID-19. RESULTS: For the 27 countries analyzed for temporal trendlines, 13 countries showed no change over time while 14 had decreasing trends. Among the 14, nine countries, Uganda, Togo, Ghana, Benin, Kenya, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Chad, and Ethiopia had high year-decrease (CAGR - 1.01 and - 10.26) while five, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Gambia, Djibouti, and Mali had low year-decrease (CAGR>-1 and < 0). Among these five are the highest FGM prevalence similar distribution regardless the wealth quintiles or residence. There is an economic burden of delay or non-decline of FGM that could be averted. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that some countries show a declining trend over time while others not. It can be observed that there is heterogeneity and homogeneity in the FGM prevalence within and between countries which may indicate inequality that deserves further investigation. There is considerable economic burden due to delays in the implementation of interventions to reduce or eliminate FGM. These insights can help in the preparation of public health interventions.

Female genital mutilation/cutting among girls aged 0-14: evidence from the 2018 Mali Demographic and Health Survey data.

BACKGROUND: Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is considered a social norm in many African societies, with varying prevalence among countries. Mali is one of the eight countries with very high prevalence of FGM/C in Africa. This study assessed the individual and contextual factors associated with female FGM/C among girls aged 0-14 years in Mali. METHODS: We obtained data from the 2018 Mali Demographic and Health Survey. The prevalence of FGM/C in girls was presented using percentages while a multilevel binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the predictors of FGM/C and the results were presented using adjusted odds ratios with associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: The results indicate that more than half (72.7%, 95% CI = 70.4-74.8) of women in Mali with daughters had at least one daughter who has gone through circumcision. The likelihood of circumcision of girls increased with age, with women aged 45-49 having the highest odds compared to those aged 15-19 (aOR = 17.68, CI = 7.91-31.79). A higher likelihood of FGM/C in daughters was observed among women who never read newspaper/magazine (aOR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.27-3.89), compared to those who read newspaper/magazine at least once a week. Compared to women who are not circumcised, those who had been circumcised were more likely to have their daughters circumcised (aOR = 53.98, 95% CI = 24.91-117.00). CONCLUSION: The study revealed the age of mothers, frequency of reading newspaper/magazine, and circumcision status of mothers, as factors associated with circumcision of girls aged 0-14 in Mali. It is, therefore, imperative for existing interventions and new ones to focus on these factors in order to reduce FGM/C in Mali. This will help Mali to contribute to the global efforts of eliminating all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation by 2030.

The need for and acceptability of a curriculum to train nursing and medical students in the sexual healthcare of clients with female genital mutilation/cutting in Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is tied to one of the most conservative cultures in the Mediterranean and Sub-Saharan Africa. More than 200 million girls and women in 30 African, Asian and the middle Eastern countries have undergone FGM/C. However, healthcare professionals are not adequately trained to prevent and manage FGM/C-related complications including sexual health problems. This study aimed to assess the need and acceptability of a curriculum to train nursing and medical students in the sexual healthcare of clients with FGM/C in Tanzania. METHODS: We used a descriptive and cross sectional study design to collect and analyse information from 271 medical and 137 nursing students in Tanzania. A Qualtrics online survey was used to obtain quantitative data on training interest, previous training received, and the curriculum delivery method. Open-ended questions were used to explore their insights on significance to obtain the necessary competencies to treat and prevent FGM/C. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic approach. RESULTS: Almost half of the participants reported they had little to no training in sexual healthcare for women with FGM/C (47%). In all, 82.4% reported the training to be acceptable. Following thematic analysis of open-ended questions, participants expressed a desire to improve their competencies to meet the current and future sexual and psychological health needs of women and girls who have undergone FGM/C. CONCLUSION: It is a necessary and acceptable to develop a curriculum to train healthcare students to diagnose, treat and prevent sexual health complications related to FGM/C. In our study, designing a culturally sensitive curriculum and its delivery method, that includes practical sessions with simulated patients, was considered the most beneficial and favorable.

Contextual determinants of generational continuation of female genital mutilation among women of reproductive age in nigeria: analysis of the 2018 demographic and health survey.

BACKGROUND: Female genital mutilation (FGM) has negative health implications and has long been recognised as violating sexual rights. Despite the huge efforts expended on eradicating FGM, generational continuation of the practice, i.e. the act of mutilated women also mutilating their daughters, persists in Nigeria. This study investigated the individual, household, and community factors associated with generational continuation of FGM among women in Nigeria. METHODS: The study analysed data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). A weighted sample of 3835 women with FGM history and who had given birth to female children was analysed. Models were estimated using mixed-effects multilevel logistic regression with Stata 16.0. RESULTS: The results showed that 40.0% of women continued FGM for their daughters. Regional prevalence of FGM continuation ranged from 14.9% in the South-South (the lowest) to 64.3% in the North-West (the highest). Women aged 15-24 years (uaOR = 0.40; 95% CI:0.28-0.57) and rich (uaOR = 0.44; 95% CI:0.35-0.56) had the least likelihood of generational continuation of FGM. In communities with low proportions of women unexposed to the media, the likelihood of FGM continuation was significantly higher (uaOR = 1.85; 95% CI:1.35-2.53). Generational continuation of FGM was significantly lower in communities with moderate proportions of uneducated mothers (aOR = 0.6; 95% CI:0.42-0.86). CONCLUSION: FGM continuation was high in Nigeria, and it was most common among older and poor mothers and in communities with large proportions of uneducated women and those unexposed to the media. Existing National Policy and Plan on FGM elimination should be strengthened to target these characteristics.

"People will talk about her if she is not circumcised": Exploring the patterning, drivers and gender norms around female genital mutilation in Ethiopia's Somali region.

Over the past decade there has been a burgeoning literature on social norms and the need to understand their context-specific patterning and trends to promote change, including to address the harmful practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), which affects around 200 million girls and women globally. This article draws on mixed-methods data collected in 2022 and 2023 with 1,020 adolescents and their caregivers, as well as key informants, from Ethiopia's Somali region to explore the patterning, drivers, and decision-making around FGM. Findings indicate that almost all Somali girls can expect to undergo FGM before age 15, and that infibulation is near universal. Critically, however, we find that respondents' understanding of infibulation is rooted in traditional practice, and many girls are now "partially" infibulated-an invasive procedure that girls nonetheless see as an improvement over the past. These shifts reflect religious leaders' efforts to eliminate traditional infibulation--and the health risks it entails--by promoting "less invasive" types of FGM as a requirement of Islam. We also find evidence of emergent medicalization of the practice, as mothers-who are the primary decision-makers-seek to further reduce risks. Adult and adolescent respondents agree that FGM is a deeply embedded social norm, but distinguish between FGM as a perceived religious requirement, and infibulation as a cultural requirement. For girls and women, the importance of FGM is framed around social acceptance, whereas boys and men focus on FGM as a requirement for marriage as it allows families to control girls' sexuality. The article concludes by reflecting on the implications of our findings for programming in high-prevalence contexts. Key conclusions include that FGM interventions should not rely on empowering individuals as "champions of change" but rather prioritize engagement with whole communities, and should be open in the short term to incremental harm-reduction approaches.

The unbroken chain of female genital mutilation: a qualitative assessment of high school girls' perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is defined as any procedure that involves damage to the female external genitalia. This practice is majorly prevalent in Sudan, as it is estimated that over 12 million Sudanese women are circumcised. This study uncovers rural females' knowledge and insights about FGM domestically. METHODS: A qualitative, deductive study with thematic analysis was conducted. A total of 42 female high school students were recruited and divided into five focus groups, each of which included girls from four different high school classes in the main school of the study area. A topic guide was prepared and used to lead the focus groups. Thematic analysis was used, and the study data had been categorized into four themes: knowledge, procedure and performance, experience, and practice. The condensed meaning units of each theme were identified, then classified to formulate sub-themes. RESULTS: All the participants indicated that FGM is a traditional practice in the village. The vast majority have heard about it from family members, mainly mothers and grandmothers. Regarding the procedure, all the participants agreed that midwives perform FGM, but most of them don't know what exactly is being removed. According to all participants, mothers and grandmothers are the decision-makers for FGM. The majority of the participants stated that they do not discriminate between the circumcised and uncircumcised women and most of them agreed that circumcision has negative side effects. They have mentioned pain, difficult urination, and walking as early side effects, while psychological impacts and labor obstruction as late ones. Generally, the majority of the participants agreed that circumcision is not beneficial and should stop. CONCLUSION: Knowledge regarding the dangers of FGM among high school girls is better than expected given the high prevalence of the practice. Generally, the process is well understood, the performers are known, the experience is universal, and the side effects are acknowledged. Nevertheless, a majority still showed an intent to circumcise their daughters in the future.

The comparison of sexual function in types I and II of female genital mutilation.

BACKGROUND: Female genital mutilation has many sexual, physical, and psychological consequences. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C), and Sexual Function among circumcised women in Sardasht City, Iran." METHODS: In this present cross-sectional study, 197 women who were mutilated entered the study by simple random sampling from two healthcare centers in Sardasht, Iran. A gynecologist first performed a genital examination to identify the type of female genital mutilation of participants. Subsequently, Socio-demographic and FGM/C-related characteristics checklist and the female sexual function index questionnaire were completed by interview method. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23 software. RESULTS: Type I and II of female genital mutilation were performed in 73.1 and 26.9% of the participants, respectively. The age range of performing female genital mutilation in type I and II of female genital mutilation was 4-10 years old in 67.4% and 71.1% respectively. Traditional practitioners/local women carried out the circumcision in all of the participants, and Sunnah/tradition was reported as the most common reason for doing this procedure. The average total score of FSFI index in type I and II of female genital mutilation was 23.5 ± 2.0 and 17.4 ± 2.39, respectively. In all domains of FSFI, women with type II of female genital mutilation obtained lower scores than women with type I. CONCLUSION: Circumcised women have reduced scores in all domains of FSFI, and the severity of sexual dysfunction is related to the type of FGM/C. Considering the prevalence of female genital mutilation and its adverse effects, it is imperative to initiate cultural improvements through education and awareness. By educating and raising awareness among individuals about this issue, we can foster positive changes and address the problem effectively.

Evaluating the long-term impact of large-scale trainings: an exposure based cross-sectional study on female genital mutilation-related knowledge, attitudes and practices among Sudanese midwives in Khartoum State.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the long-term impact of large-scale training targeting midwives in a setting where they are the main female genital mutilation (FGM) practitioners. We hypothesised that trained midwives would have significantly higher knowledge, greater opposition to midwives' involvement in this practice, and improved clinical practice in FGM prevention and care compared with non-trained midwives. DESIGN: We conducted an exposure based cross-sectional study, using closed-ended and open-ended questions during phone interviews. SETTING: Khartoum State in Sudan has a high prevalence of FGM (88%) mainly performed by midwives. PARTICIPANTS: Midwives who received (n=127) and did not receive FGM training (n=55). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: We developed primary outcomes aligned to the three levels (reaction, learning and behaviour) of Kirkpatrick's training evaluation model for descriptive and multivariable analyses in Stata. RESULTS: All the midwives interviewed were female, mostly village midwives (92%) and worked in health centres (89%). The mean age and midwifery experience was 51 years (SD=10) and 23 years (SD=12), respectively. Overall, most midwives (>90%) reported being supportive of FGM discontinuation. Midwives who had FGM training were more aware that performing FGM violates code of conduct (p=0.001) and reported to always counsel patients to abandon FGM (p<0.001) compared with midwives who did not report training. However, these associations were not statistically significant in multivariable logistic regression model adjusting for age. Exploratory analysis of training curricula showed higher knowledge, correct attitude and practices among those who reported in-service training before 2016. CONCLUSION: Though past trainings were associated with higher knowledge and greater opposition to midwives' involvement in FGM, this was not translated into appropriate corrective clinical procedures among affected women during labour. The Sudan Ministry of Health invested heavily in training midwives and it would be important to investigate why trained midwives do not implement recommended FGM-related clinical management.

Prevalence of female genital mutilation and associated factors among women and girls in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Female genital mutilation (FGM) has zero health benefits. It can lead to short- and long-term risks and complications, including physical, sexual, and mental health and well-being of girls and women. It is a worldwide public health issue with more than 80% prevalence in Africa. It is a global imperative to strengthen work for the elimination, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) strives to eliminate FGM and monitor the progress made. However, one of a challenge in tracking progress is establishing baseline prevalence data within regions and countries. Therefore, this review aimed to pool the prevalence of FGM in Africa and identify the promoting factors among women and girls. METHODS: This review was conducted according to the PRISMA checklist guideline. Both published and unpublished studies conducted from 2012 onwards were eligible. Studies written in non-English languages were excluded. To retrieve relevant studies; PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, Science Direct, African Journals Online databases, and African Index Medicus (AIM) were searched using a combination of searching terms. The Newcastle-Ottawa Assessment Scale (NOS) tool was used to assess the quality of each included study. The Cochran's Q chi-square and I2 statistical tests were used to evaluate the heterogeneity of the included studies. The Funnel plot and Egger's regression test (p value < 0.05) were used to evaluate meh publication bias. We used STATA for analysis and the overall and subgroup pooled effect size was estimated using the random effect model with DerSimonian and Laired pooled effect method. The overall prevalence of FGM and the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95%CI (confidence interval) for contributing factors were calculated and presented using a forest plot. RESULT: This study included 155 primary studies conducted on the prevalence and/or factors associated with FGM in Africa. The pooled prevalence of FGM was 56.4% (95%CI 49.7-63.6). The primary factors promoting the practice of FGM were family history of circumcision (AOR = 13.71, 95%CI 9.11-20.62), being a Muslim religion follower (AOR = 3.51, 95%CI 2.61-4.71), poor wealth index (AOR = 1.38, 95%CI1.27-1.51), higher age (AOR = 2.95, 95%CI 2.49-3.38), not attending formal education (AOR = 3.28, 95%CI 2.62-4.12), and rural residency (AOR = 2.27, 95%CI 1.84-2.80). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of FGM in Africa was found to be high. This study also observed a variation in FGM prevalence across regions and countries and a slight temporal decline over the study period. As the global community enters the final decade dedicated to eliminating FGM, there remains much to be done to achieve the elimination goal.

[Obstetrical and neonatal prognosis of patients with a history of female genital mutilation]. / Pronostic obstétrical et néonatal des patientes ayant un antécédent de mutilation génitale féminine.

OBJECTIVE: Female genital mutilation (FGM) covers all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external genitalia for non-therapeutic purposes. The period of pregnancy and childbirth is probably more at risk of complications for these women. The main aim of this study was to compare obstetrical, maternal and neonatal outcomes in patients with a history of female genital mutilation with patients without such a history. METHODS: All deliveries taking place between January 2005 and June 2022 at Besançon University Hospital in patients with a history of FGM were included. This group was compared with a randomly selected group of deliveries of patients with no history of FGM. A total of 87 deliveries with a history of FGM were included and compared with 696 deliveries with no history of FGM. RESULTS: There were significantly more instrumental deliveries (27.6% vs. 17.5%, P=0.01), more caesarean sections (23% vs. 14.1%, P=0.01), more episiotomies (9.2% vs. 0.7%, P<0.01), more first-degree perineal tears (30.8% vs. 20.8%, P=0.02), second-degree (13.9% vs. 5.3%, P<0, 01), third-degree (3.1% vs. 0.2%, P=0.02), more anterior perineal tears (23.1% vs. 2.5%, P<0.01), increased duration of pushing efforts (13 min vs. 10 min, P=0.05) and greater blood loss (297 cc vs. 165 cc, P<0.01) in the group with a history of FGM. There was no statistically significant difference in neonatal outcome. CONCLUSION: The obstetrical prognosis of patients with a history of FGM is significantly poorer. Neonatal prognosis remains unchanged.

Rethinking the Definition of Medicalized Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting.

In 2015, the international community agreed to end Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) by 2030. However, the target is unlikely to be met as changes in practice, including medicalized female genital mutilation/cutting (mFGM/C), challenge abandonment strategies. This paper critically reviews the current World Health Organization (WHO) definition of mFGM/C to demonstrate that mFGM/C, as currently defined, lacks detail and clarity, and may serve as an obstacle to the collection of credible, reliable, and comparable data relevant to targeted FGM/C prevention policies and programs. The paper argues that it is necessary to initiate a discussion on the revision of the current WHO definition of mFGM/C, where different components (who-how-where-what) should be taken into account. This is argued by discussing different scenarios that compare the current WHO definition of mFGM/C with the actual practice of FGM/C on the ground. The cases discussed within these scenarios are based on existing published research and the research experience of the authors. The scenarios focus on countries where mFGM/C is prevalent among girls under 18 years, using data from Demographic Health Surveys and/or Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys, and thus the focus is on the Global South. The paper places its arguments in relation to wider debates concerning female genital cosmetic surgery, male genital circumcision and consent. It calls for more research on these topics to ensure that definitions of FGM/C and mFGM/C reflect the real-world contexts and ensure that the human rights of girls and women are protected.

What African immigrant service providers can teach us about the needs of African immigrant survivors of FGM/C.

Health and social service providers who immigrated from regions with high Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) prevalence rates can provide unique insights on serving women with FGM/C experience. Specifically, we investigated African immigrant service providers' knowledge, experience, attitudes about FGM/C, and their recommendations on how to provide services to immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa who have experienced FGM/C. Derived from a larger study, interviews of 10 African service providers were selectively analyzed with a particular attention to cultural insights that could inform the framework in Western destination countries on how to serve women and girls with FGM/C experience.

Female Genital Mutilation and Sexual Risk Behaviors of Adolescent Girls and Young Women Aged 15-24 Years: Evidence From Sierra Leone.

PURPOSE: Considering the high levels of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Sierra Leone with over 83% of girls and young women aged 15-24 years having undergone the practice, the study explores the potential influence of FGM on sexual behaviors of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Sierra Leone. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from the 2019 Demographic Health Survey were utilized to examine the association between FGM and three sexual behaviors; sexual debut before 18 years, child marriage and adolescent motherhood. To model this association, a generalized estimation equation technique was employed, while controlling for socio-demographic characteristics. Additionally, the study corrected for multiple-hypothesis testing using the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure with a specified false discovery rate of 0.05. Finally, percentage predicted probabilities of occurrence of the sexual risk behaviors in the presence of FGM were also calculated. RESULTS: Of the 5524 AGYW, 76% had undergone FGM. FGM was associated with all three sexual risk behaviors. Sexual debut before 18 years had the highest predicted probability increase (+18.00 ppt, 95% CI: 14.41 to -21.59), followed by adolescent motherhood (+13.38 ppt, 95% CI: 10.16-16.60) and child marriage (+12.61 ppt; 95% CI: 10.22-15.01). Education was found to be protective against all three sexual risk behaviors. DISCUSSION: The findings of this study demonstrate that FGM remains a prevalent practice in Sierra Leone, even among the younger generation. This practice is strongly associated with sexual behaviors that pose a significant risk to the health outcomes of AGYW. Investments in education by removing barriers to access for AGYW could lead to multiple gains.

Female genital mutilation - An overview for forensic practitioners.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) refers to all procedures that partially or totally remove the external female genitalia, or to all other deliberate injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It is thought that over 200 million girls and women have had some form of FGM, with more than three million girls being at risk annually. The procedure varies in severity from partial or complete removal of the clitoris (Type 1) to oversewing of the vaginal opening, so-called infibulation (Type 3). There are no medical benefits from FGM, with complications increasing with the amount of tissue damage that has been inflicted. Side effects may be psychological and physical including excessive scarring, pain, infections, sexual dysfunction with significant obstetrical complications such as fistulas and increased risks of stillbirth, as well as increased neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Although primarily originating in countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, mass migrations in recent years have made FGM a feature in most societies. For this reason, forensic practitioners and pathologists should be aware of the anatomical features of FGM and the potential medical and psychological side effects. Accurate recording of cases is required to enable appropriate resources to be allocated for instituting preventive measures.