Measurement of the sexual health and wellbeing of women who have undergone female genital mutilation/Cutting: A scoping review

Abstract

Objective: We conducted a scoping review to identify and assess instruments used to measure sexual health and wellbeing in women who have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Method: We retrieved and assessed 10 validated instruments using an 18-item checklist derived from the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Status Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist. Results: All instruments were developed and initially validated among literate, predominantly Caucasian participants in North America and Europe. Only 1 validation study was conducted among women living with FGM/C. Conclusion: Most instruments only measured sexual functioning. Findings underscore the need to validate instruments appropriate for use among FGM/C survivors.

Keywords:

• Female genital mutilation/cutting
• sexual health and wellbeing
• measurement
• psychometric validation

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Bothild Bendiksen, Chimaraoke Izugbara, Christina Pallito, Guyo Jaldesa Jacinta Muteshi, and Michelle Hindin who reviewed earlier versions of this manuscript and provided critical feedback.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Internal Review Board (IRB) statement

The study was granted ethical approval by Population Council Institutional Review Board.

Additional information

Funding

The study was funded by UK Aid from the U.K. government through the Evidence to End FGM/C: Research to Help Girls and Women Thrive research program. The funding body did not play any role in the design of the study, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, and in writing the manuscript.