Surgical Healthcare Interventions after Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting—A Review of the Evidence

Background: Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a global public health problem associated with an increased risk of physical, sexual, and mental consequences. Surgical healthcare intervention may alleviate negative consequences related to FGM/C. In this review, we aim offer overview documented effects surgical interventions after FGM/C, from the perspectives both providers (HCPs) performing such women receiving them. Methods: We searched four databases (PUBMED/MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsychInfo, Cochrane Library) for peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 2021, retrieved total 1978 citations (1203 + 775). After scrutinizing inclusion criteria (1) observable outcomes (2) HCPs’ perceptions FGM/C-related experiences providing care FGM/C-affected women, (3) women’s healthcare, selected 38 include in review. Results: HCPs differed their views on interventions. While seemed suggest premarital defibulation regardless woman’s age marital status, affected voiced social concerns defibulation, which sometimes overrode physical On other hand, some were reluctant perform intrapartum due uncertainty or misinformation about infibulated wishes, while often expected desired prenatally. And gynecologists demonstrated skepticism towards clitoral reconstruction, most who had undergone procedure satisfied, particularly regarding psychosocial sexual aspects. Conclusions: Providers recipients FGM/C seem display contrasting have implications recommendations as well satisfaction. This apparent ambiguity providers’ recipients’ needs further investigation.