Addressing Female Genital Cutting Among Service Providers in New York

摘要

Although an increasing number of African immigrants in the United States have experienced or are at risk of experiencing female genital cutting (FGC), there is limited research on the experiences of health care and social service practitioners who work with these individuals in the United States. This study employed indepth qualitative interviewing to understand the experiences, knowledge, and practices of 31 practitioners in New York who provide medical, mental health, and social services to African female immigrants who have experienced FGC. Results indicate that although all service providers demonstrated basic knowledge about the FGC procedure, many expressed uncertainty about its current legal standing in the United States and frustration about their lack of formal training in issues related to FGC. Recommendations include expanded training for service providers, especially mental health and social service providers, with the goal of providing more comprehensive and culturally informed holistic care to individuals affected by FGC.