Milken Institute School of Public Health Poster Presentations (Marvin Center & Video)
Poster Number
111
Document Type
Poster
Status
Graduate Student - Masters
Abstract Category
Prevention and Community Health
Keywords
Toolkit, evaluation, health, female genital cutting
Publication Date
Spring 2018
Abstract
In recent years, written guidance and other tools to assist professionals in multiple sectors has been issued to increase their awareness about female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), knowledge of how to respond appropriately, and means of delivering optimal care to women who have undergone FGM/C. A long-standing human rights-framed issue, FGM/C is a global health concern and is most often carried out on young girls. Apart from practicing origin countries, increased international migration has given rise to FGM/C in countries in the Americas, Europe, and Oceania, and compelled domestic legislation to outlaw FGM/C. This prohibition makes FGM/C an area in which the emergence of operational guidance and educational materials in the form of toolkits is a relatively recent intervention phenomenon. This project sought to evaluate existing toolkits and formulate recommendations for future toolkits. Methods: This review sought to examine Internet accessible toolkits and other web-based resources, regarding issuance, derivation, distribution format, scope of delivery/content, and target audience. Each toolkit was assessed as to the country of origin, date of issuance, format, target audience, content, and evidence underlying the content, using the following search terms: FGM online resources in other countries, toolkits FGM survivors and health care professionals. These search terms were used as key words in Google with no limit on date published. Results: A total of 44 toolkits were included in the initial review and evaluation of these toolkits found 30 were geared toward women with FGM/C and health care providers. The majority of the toolkits were produced outside the United States. Toolkits were issued by international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies in many countries, including the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand. The toolkits were found to be variable in quality of content and timeliness of information presented. They were found to communicate epidemiological and legal information, but lack the provision of skills development or a presentation of evidence-based practices in working with women who have experienced FGM/C. Discussion: While some of the toolkits addressed prevention efforts in connection with FGM/C, others aimed to inform care practices for affected women and girls in accord with applicable laws. However, there is a need for skills development and tools that can be used by health care providers to ensure effective best practices are implemented when working with women who have experienced FGM/C.
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Open Access
1
Toolkits to help women who have experienced or are at risk of female genital cutting: A review
In recent years, written guidance and other tools to assist professionals in multiple sectors has been issued to increase their awareness about female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), knowledge of how to respond appropriately, and means of delivering optimal care to women who have undergone FGM/C. A long-standing human rights-framed issue, FGM/C is a global health concern and is most often carried out on young girls. Apart from practicing origin countries, increased international migration has given rise to FGM/C in countries in the Americas, Europe, and Oceania, and compelled domestic legislation to outlaw FGM/C. This prohibition makes FGM/C an area in which the emergence of operational guidance and educational materials in the form of toolkits is a relatively recent intervention phenomenon. This project sought to evaluate existing toolkits and formulate recommendations for future toolkits. Methods: This review sought to examine Internet accessible toolkits and other web-based resources, regarding issuance, derivation, distribution format, scope of delivery/content, and target audience. Each toolkit was assessed as to the country of origin, date of issuance, format, target audience, content, and evidence underlying the content, using the following search terms: FGM online resources in other countries, toolkits FGM survivors and health care professionals. These search terms were used as key words in Google with no limit on date published. Results: A total of 44 toolkits were included in the initial review and evaluation of these toolkits found 30 were geared toward women with FGM/C and health care providers. The majority of the toolkits were produced outside the United States. Toolkits were issued by international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies in many countries, including the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand. The toolkits were found to be variable in quality of content and timeliness of information presented. They were found to communicate epidemiological and legal information, but lack the provision of skills development or a presentation of evidence-based practices in working with women who have experienced FGM/C. Discussion: While some of the toolkits addressed prevention efforts in connection with FGM/C, others aimed to inform care practices for affected women and girls in accord with applicable laws. However, there is a need for skills development and tools that can be used by health care providers to ensure effective best practices are implemented when working with women who have experienced FGM/C.
Comments
Presented at GW Annual Research Days 2018.