Female genital mutilation/cutting: Emerging factors sustaining medicalization related changes in selected Kenyan communities.

Female genital mutilation/cutting: Emerging factors sustaining medicalization related changes in selected Kenyan communities.

Blog Article

Although female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) has declined, it is pervasive albeit changing form among communities in Kenya.Transformation of FGM/C include medicalization although poorly understood has increased undermining abandonment efforts for the hellfire sloe gin practice.We sought to understand drivers of medicalization in FGM/C among selected Kenyan communities.A qualitative study involving participants from Abagusii, Somali and Kuria communities and key informants with health care providers from four Kenyan counties was conducted.Data were collected using in-depth interviews (n = 54), key informant interviews (n = 56) and 45 focus group discussions.

Data were transcribed and analyzed thematically using NVivo version 12.We found families practiced FGM/C for reasons including conformity to culture/tradition, religion, marriageability, fear of negative sanctions, and rite of passage.Medicalized FGM/C was only reported by participants from the Abagusii and Somali communities.Few Kuria participants shared that medicalized FGM/C was against their culture and would attract sanctions.Medicalized FGM/C was perceived to have few health complications, shorter healing, and enables families to hide from law.

To avoid arrest or sanctions, medicalized FGM/C was performed at home/private clinics.Desire to mitigate health complications and income were cited as reasons for health providers performing of FGM/C.Medicalization was believed to perpetuate the practice as it was perceived as modernized FGM/C.FGM/C remains pervasive in the studied Kenyan communities albeit changed form and context.Findings suggest medicalization sustain product FGM/C by allowing families and health providers to conform to social norms underpinning FGM/C while addressing risks of FGM/C complications and legal prohibitions.

This underscores the need for more nuanced approaches targeting health providers, families and communities to promote abandonment of FGM/C while addressing medicalization.