Over the next decade around 30 million girls under age 15 are at risk of FGM/C. Given that there is no physical benefit for the girls and acknowledging that FGM/C involves physical, psychological, social and reproductive harm, we, along with major international and national governmental and non-governmental organizations find FGM/C a severe violation of human rights [1]. We must encourage vigor...

OBJECTIVE To compare primary indications for cesarean delivery among patients with different female genital mutilation (FGM) status. METHODS The present secondary analysis included data from women who underwent trial of labor resulting in cesarean delivery at 28 obstetric centers in six African countries between November 1, 2001, and March 31, 2003. Associations between cesarean delivery indi...

Although the dioxin receptor, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), is considered a major regulator of xenobiotic-induced carcinogenesis, its role in tumor formation in the absence of xenobiotics is still largely unknown. Trying to address this question, we have produced immortalized cell lines from wild-type (T-FGM-AhR+/+) and mutant (T-FGM-AhR-/-) mouse mammary fibroblasts by stable co-transfe...

BACKGROUND Female genital mutilation (FGM) is commonly practiced mainly in a belt reaching from East to West Africa north of the equator. The practice is known across socio-economic classes and among different ethnic, religious, and cultural groups. Few studies have been appropriately designed to measure the health effects of FGM. However, the outcome of FGM on intersex individuals has never be...

BACKGROUND While Female Genital Cutting (FGM/C) is a deeply entrenched cultural practice, there is now mounting evidence for a gradual decline in prevalence in a number of geographical areas in Africa and following migration to non-practicing countries. Consequently, there is now a growing number of women with FGM/C who are raising 'uncut' daughters. This study used a qualitative methodology to...

BACKGROUND It is well acknowledged that Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C/C) leads to medical, psychological and sociocultural sequels. Over 200 million cases of FGM/C exist globally, and in Kenya alone, a total of 12,418,000 (28%) of women have undergone FGM/C, making the practice not only a significant national, but also a global health catastrophe. FGM/C is rooted in patriarchal and t...

BACKGROUND Female genital mutilation (FGM) is nontherapeutic surgical modification of the female genitalia. It is an ancient tradition in large parts of Africa, including Ethiopia, especially in the eastern part of the country. This study aimed to identify the prevalence, perceptions, perpetuators, reasons for conducting FGM, and factors associated with this practice with regard to women's heal...

THE PROBLEM OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM) INSPIRED NEARLY 100 medical students from 3 continents to submit their work for the 2002 John Conley Ethics Essay Contest for Medical Students. Essayists discussed ethical issues that would arise if an 18-year-old woman requested thatasurgeonintheUnitedStatesperformFGMonherbeforeshereturned home to Africa, where FGM is most commonly practiced. Also...

UNLABELLED Sierra Leone has one of the highest rates of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the world, and yet little is known about the health consequences of the practice. PURPOSE To explore whether and what kind of FGM-related health complications girls and women in Sierra Leone experience, and to elucidate their health care-seeking behaviors. PATIENTS AND METHODS A feasibility study was ...

BACKGROUND In contrast to other European countries, the Swiss health care system does not deal with the specific needs of women with female genital mutilation (FGM) in a consistent manner, though migrants from countries where FGM is commonly practised are living in Switzerland. METHODS For this study, the interaction of women who had undergone FGM, with the Swiss health services was analysed ...