Insights into preventing female genital mutilation/cutting in Sri Lanka: a qualitative interpretative study

Dawson, A; Wijewardene, K

Insights into preventing female genital mutilation/cutting in Sri Lanka: a qualitative interpretative study

Dawson, A

Wijewardene, K

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Publisher:: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Reproductive Health, 2021, 18, (1)
Issue Date:: 2021-12

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Dawson, A https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0926-2202
dc.contributor.author	Wijewardene, K
dc.date.accessioned	2021-03-03T05:30:12Z
dc.date.available	2021-03-03T05:30:12Z
dc.date.issued	2021-12
dc.identifier.citation	Reproductive Health, 2021, 18, (1)
dc.identifier.issn	1742-4755
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/146718
dc.description.abstract	<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec> <jats:title>Background</jats:title> <jats:p>FGM/C is a cultural practice associated with adverse health outcomes that involves the partial or complete removal of the external female genitalia or injury to the genitalia. FGM/C is a form of violence against women and girls. There are no laws that specifically outlaw FGM/C in Sri Lanka and no national prevalence data. There is a lack of evidence about this practice to inform prevention efforts required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 5.3.2, which focuses on the elimination of all harmful practices, including FGM/C.</jats:p> </jats:sec><jats:sec> <jats:title>Methods</jats:title> <jats:p>We undertook a qualitative interpretative study to explore the knowledge and perceptions of community members, religious leaders and professionals from the health, legal and community work sectors in five districts across Sri Lanka. We aimed to identify strategies to end this practice.</jats:p> </jats:sec><jats:sec> <jats:title>Results</jats:title> <jats:p>Two-hundred-and twenty-one people participated in focus group discussions and key informant interviews. A template analysis identified five top-level themes: Providers, procedures and associated rituals; demand and decision-making; the role of religion; perceived benefits and adverse outcomes; ways forward for prevention.</jats:p> </jats:sec><jats:sec> <jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title> <jats:p>This study delivered detailed knowledge of FGM/C related beliefs, perceptions and practitioners and provided opportunities to develop an integrated programming strategy that incorporates interventions across three levels of prevention.</jats:p> </jats:sec>
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Springer Science and Business Media LLC
dc.relation.ispartof	Reproductive Health
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1186/s12978-021-01114-x
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.rights	This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Reproductive Health. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12978-021-01114-x.	en_US
dc.subject	1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine
dc.subject.classification	Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
dc.title	Insights into preventing female genital mutilation/cutting in Sri Lanka: a qualitative interpretative study
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	18
utslib.for	1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - WHO CC
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2021-03-03T05:30:11Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	18
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

Abstract Background FGM/C is a cultural practice associated with adverse health outcomes that involves the partial or complete removal of the external female genitalia or injury to the genitalia. FGM/C is a form of violence against women and girls. There are no laws that specifically outlaw FGM/C in Sri Lanka and no national prevalence data. There is a lack of evidence about this practice to inform prevention efforts required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 5.3.2, which focuses on the elimination of all harmful practices, including FGM/C. Methods We undertook a qualitative interpretative study to explore the knowledge and perceptions of community members, religious leaders and professionals from the health, legal and community work sectors in five districts across Sri Lanka. We aimed to identify strategies to end this practice. Results Two-hundred-and twenty-one people participated in focus group discussions and key informant interviews. A template analysis identified five top-level themes: Providers, procedures and associated rituals; demand and decision-making; the role of religion; perceived benefits and adverse outcomes; ways forward for prevention. Conclusions This study delivered detailed knowledge of FGM/C related beliefs, perceptions and practitioners and provided opportunities to develop an integrated programming strategy that incorporates interventions across three levels of prevention.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/146718