New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 550 1st Ave, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical School, New York, NY, USA.
J Immigr Minor Health. 2021 Dec;23(6):1241-1248. doi: 10.1007/s10903-020-01103-5. Epub 2020 Oct 13.
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) affects millions of girls and women globally each year despite widespread criminalization of the practice. Eradication efforts have focused on the health risks associated with FGM/C however, it is important to understand the sociocultural context in which this practice exists. We conducted a cross-sectional study using retrospective chart review and structured interviews with women recruited through the Bellevue/New York University Program for Survivors of Torture. Of the 43 participants enrolled in the study, 88.4% initially indicated there is no benefit of undergoing FGM/C but when prompted, agreed that social acceptance (16.3%), religious approval (11.6%), and better marriage prospects (9.3%) are possible benefits. More sexual pleasure for the women (46.5%), avoiding pain (30.2%), and fewer medical problems (16.3%) were stated as benefits of not undergoing FGM/C. Overall, 40 (93%) participants believed the practice should be discontinued. This study highlights that there may be a perception of social benefit of undergoing FGM/C. Although most participants believed the practice should be discontinued, the complex social milieu within which this practice exists must be addressed.
女性外阴残割/切割（FGM/C）每年影响着全球数百万的女孩和妇女，尽管这种做法已被广泛定为犯罪。消除这种做法的努力侧重于与 FGM/C 相关的健康风险，但了解这种做法存在的社会文化背景也很重要。我们采用回顾性图表审查和对通过贝尔维尤/纽约大学酷刑幸存者项目招募的女性进行的结构式访谈进行了一项横断面研究。在参与这项研究的 43 名参与者中，88.4%的人最初表示进行 FGM/C 没有任何好处，但在被提示后，他们同意社会接受（16.3%）、宗教认可（11.6%）和更好的婚姻前景（9.3%）是可能的好处。更多的女性性快感（46.5%）、避免疼痛（30.2%）和较少的医疗问题（16.3%）被认为是不进行 FGM/C 的好处。总体而言，40（93%）名参与者认为这种做法应该停止。这项研究表明，进行 FGM/C 可能存在一种社会获益的认知。尽管大多数参与者认为这种做法应该停止，但必须解决这种做法存在的复杂社会环境。
