Person-centered communication for the prevention of female genital mutilation: a multi-country, cluster randomized trial

Overview

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a harmful practice that involves removal of healthy genital tissue and can lead to health consequences in the short and long term. Abandonment of this harmful practice requires multi-sectoral efforts, including in the health sector. Health care providers are respected members of their communities and can be important messengers of change in addition to providing essential health services. There is limited evidence, however, on what works to prevent FGM and how to deliver these interventions within the health sector.

Objectives

To determine if an intervention that involves strengthening the health system to provide FGM-related prevention and care services and training health care providers at primary care level to counsel their clients using person centred communication is effective in preventing FGM.