The Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Experience in Somali Women: Their Wishes, Knowledge and Attitude

BACKGROUND

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a common sociocultural practice in many communities in Africa. Unfortunately, what females are forced to accept because they are helpless, in order to be an individual in social life and in the country they live in, is an important health issue that is not only harmful to the human body but also against human rights.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the wishes, knowledge and attitude of Somali women regarding FMG/C.

METHODS

From 16 regions of Somalia, 356 women were randomly selected. A structured and interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data.

RESULTS

Except for one, all women participating in the survey were circumcised. A significant proportion of women embraced the continuation of FGM/C (52%) and 54.2% of them were satisfied with being FMG/C. Their knowledge, attitude, and practices were shaped by their religion and traditions. However, the proportion of those who wanted to stop FGM/C was 91%.

CONCLUSIONS

Further efforts and research from different countries, cultures, beliefs, organizations, and individuals focusing on knowledge, awareness, legalization, and the opinions of lay and religious individuals, particularly including women's rights activists, and women with FGM/C, are needed to stop FGM/C, also known as female circumcision.

Evaluation of quality of life and cost-effectiveness of definitive surgery and the levonorgestrel intrauterine system as treatment options for heavy menstrual bleeding

BACKGROUND/AIM

This study aimed to compare the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) with abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) and total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) as first-line treatments for heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-eight patients aged 20-55 years who complained of regular heavy menstrual bleeding were enrolled in the study. The TAH group included 29 patients, the LNG-IUS group included 34, and the TLH group included 35. These groups were compared in terms of quality of life and the cost-effectiveness of the selected methods. Quality of life was assessed using the 36-Item Short Form (SF-36), and cost-effectiveness was assessed according to the current cost of each approach.

RESULTS

The quality of life parameters, with the exception of mental health, improved significantly in the LNG-IUS, TAH, and TLH groups. The mean costs of the LNG-IUS, TAH, and TLH procedures were $99.15 ± 4.90, $538.82 ± 193.00 and $1617.05 ± 258.44, respectively (P < 0.05). Overall, LNG-IUS was the most cost-effective treatment option.

CONCLUSION

The outcome measures of the SF-36 revealed that after 6 months, these treatments were equal in terms of quality of life, except for mental health. LNG-IUS was the most cost-effective approach.