A qualitative metasynthesis on the sexual health of women who have undergone female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) living in western countries
Rationale: Female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) or circumcision can have lasting consequences on survivors' sexual health and is an important public health issue in Western countries due to migration. While some quantitative reviews have examined the psychosexual consequences of FGM/C,...
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | SSM: Qualitative Research in Health |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667321525000010 |
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| author | Emmanuelle Gareau Andréanne Dufour Christina Zarowsky Olivier Ferlatte |
| author_facet | Emmanuelle Gareau Andréanne Dufour Christina Zarowsky Olivier Ferlatte |
| author_sort | Emmanuelle Gareau |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Rationale: Female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) or circumcision can have lasting consequences on survivors' sexual health and is an important public health issue in Western countries due to migration. While some quantitative reviews have examined the psychosexual consequences of FGM/C, survivors’ perspectives remain understudied. Objective: We aim to synthesize existing qualitative data on the experiences of women who have undergone FGM/C and who live in Western countries, focusing on their perspectives regarding sexual health. Methods: A systematic search was performed in six databases to identify relevant qualitative or mixed-method empirical articles that pertain to sexual health-related matters and provide direct quotations from adult participants who have undergone FGM/C and who live in Western countries. Data was thematically synthesized using QSR's Nvivo14. Results: We synthesized data from 27 articles and identified three overarching themes related to the control of women's bodies and sexuality: 1) Rigid sexual and gender norms as obstacles to sexual fulfillment, 2) FGM/C as both creator and annihilator of sexual identity and feeling, 3) The hegemony of the taboo related to FGM/C and sexuality leading to the sexual subjugation of women. Conclusion: This study identified macro (e.g., sexual and gender norms, roles, diktats) and micro-level factors (e.g., FGM/C itself, sexual expectations) influencing the sexual health of women who have undergone FGM/C and who live in Western countries. Future research, health promotion initiatives, and psychosexual care should consider the various dimensions of sexuality when addressing FGM/C survivors’ sexual health. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2a9fb82e1c584f6c8e229d5887bd9cb2 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2667-3215 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | SSM: Qualitative Research in Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-2a9fb82e1c584f6c8e229d5887bd9cb22025-08-20T03:00:50ZengElsevierSSM: Qualitative Research in Health2667-32152025-06-01710052310.1016/j.ssmqr.2025.100523A qualitative metasynthesis on the sexual health of women who have undergone female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) living in western countriesEmmanuelle Gareau0Andréanne Dufour1Christina Zarowsky2Olivier Ferlatte3École de santé publique de L’Université de Montréal, 7101 Parc Av., Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3N 1X9; Centre de recherche en santé publique (CReSP), 7101 Parc Av., Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3N 1X9; Corresponding author. 7101 Parc av. Office #3139, Montréal, Quebec, Canada, H3N 1X9.École de santé publique de L’Université de Montréal, 7101 Parc Av., Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3N 1X9; Institut universitaire SHERPA, 7085 Hutchison St., Montréal, Quebec, Canada, H3N 1Y9École de santé publique de L’Université de Montréal, 7101 Parc Av., Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3N 1X9; Centre de recherche en santé publique (CReSP), 7101 Parc Av., Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3N 1X9École de santé publique de L’Université de Montréal, 7101 Parc Av., Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3N 1X9; Centre de recherche en santé publique (CReSP), 7101 Parc Av., Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3N 1X9Rationale: Female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) or circumcision can have lasting consequences on survivors' sexual health and is an important public health issue in Western countries due to migration. While some quantitative reviews have examined the psychosexual consequences of FGM/C, survivors’ perspectives remain understudied. Objective: We aim to synthesize existing qualitative data on the experiences of women who have undergone FGM/C and who live in Western countries, focusing on their perspectives regarding sexual health. Methods: A systematic search was performed in six databases to identify relevant qualitative or mixed-method empirical articles that pertain to sexual health-related matters and provide direct quotations from adult participants who have undergone FGM/C and who live in Western countries. Data was thematically synthesized using QSR's Nvivo14. Results: We synthesized data from 27 articles and identified three overarching themes related to the control of women's bodies and sexuality: 1) Rigid sexual and gender norms as obstacles to sexual fulfillment, 2) FGM/C as both creator and annihilator of sexual identity and feeling, 3) The hegemony of the taboo related to FGM/C and sexuality leading to the sexual subjugation of women. Conclusion: This study identified macro (e.g., sexual and gender norms, roles, diktats) and micro-level factors (e.g., FGM/C itself, sexual expectations) influencing the sexual health of women who have undergone FGM/C and who live in Western countries. Future research, health promotion initiatives, and psychosexual care should consider the various dimensions of sexuality when addressing FGM/C survivors’ sexual health.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667321525000010Female genital mutilationFemale circumcisionSexual healthSexualitySexual behaviorSystematic review |
| spellingShingle | Emmanuelle Gareau Andréanne Dufour Christina Zarowsky Olivier Ferlatte A qualitative metasynthesis on the sexual health of women who have undergone female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) living in western countries SSM: Qualitative Research in Health Female genital mutilation Female circumcision Sexual health Sexuality Sexual behavior Systematic review |
| title | A qualitative metasynthesis on the sexual health of women who have undergone female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) living in western countries |
| title_full | A qualitative metasynthesis on the sexual health of women who have undergone female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) living in western countries |
| title_fullStr | A qualitative metasynthesis on the sexual health of women who have undergone female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) living in western countries |
| title_full_unstemmed | A qualitative metasynthesis on the sexual health of women who have undergone female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) living in western countries |
| title_short | A qualitative metasynthesis on the sexual health of women who have undergone female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) living in western countries |
| title_sort | qualitative metasynthesis on the sexual health of women who have undergone female genital mutilation or cutting fgm c living in western countries |
| topic | Female genital mutilation Female circumcision Sexual health Sexuality Sexual behavior Systematic review |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667321525000010 |
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