Lived experiences and opinions of women of sub-Saharan origin on female genital mutilation: a phenomenological study

Abstract

Aims and objectives This study aimed to describe and understand the lived experiences and opinions of sub-Saharan women living in Spain in relation to female genital mutilation.

Background Female genital mutilation is a bloody procedure with serious consequences for the health of women and girls. Understanding mutilated women's lived experiences plays a crucial role in the management of health consequences and could help healthcare professionals to provide assistance to these women.

Design A descriptive phenomenological study was carried out. The COREQ checklist was followed as guidance to write the manuscript.

Methods A total of 12 in-depth interviews were conducted. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using ATLAS.ti 9.0.

Results Two themes with four subthemes were identified from the data analysis: 1) ‘The traumatic experience of female circumcision’ with the subthemes ‘Female mutilation is a physical and psychological torture procedure’ and ‘recognising and coping with negative emotions’; 2) ‘The fight for the eradication of female genital mutilation’ which contains the subthemes ‘the need for a real sociocultural change at the origin’ and ‘“I want to be the last”: Personal development leads to sociocultural change’.

Conclusions Female genital mutilation was experienced by women as a very aggressive and traumatic event. It causes considerable negative emotions that last over time. Although there is a tendency to reject the practice, in women's countries of origin, there is social pressure for girls to be mutilated.

Relevance to clinical practice Caring for women who have suffered from female genital mutilation requires awareness of the traumatic experience they underwent when they were girls. Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in eradicating female genital mutilation. Apart from education, preventive measures may include specific recommendations when girls are travelling to the country of origin and participatory action research.