Reproductive Health
Volume 14, Issue 1, 2017

Factors associated with the support of pricking (female genital cutting type IV) among Somali immigrants - A cross-sectional study in Sweden (Article) (Open Access)

Wahlberg A.* , Johnsdotter S. , Ekholm Selling K. , Källestål C. , Essén B.
  • a Department of Women's and Children's Health, International Maternal and Child Health (IMCH), Uppsala University, Akademiska Sjukhuset, Uppsala, SE-751 85, Sweden
  • b Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, SE-205 06, Sweden
  • c Department of Women's and Children's Health, International Maternal and Child Health (IMCH), Uppsala University, Akademiska Sjukhuset, Uppsala, SE-751 85, Sweden
  • d Department of Women's and Children's Health, International Maternal and Child Health (IMCH), Uppsala University, Akademiska Sjukhuset, Uppsala, SE-751 85, Sweden
  • e Department of Women's and Children's Health, International Maternal and Child Health (IMCH), Uppsala University, Akademiska Sjukhuset, Uppsala, SE-751 85, Sweden

Abstract

Background: Pricking, classified as female genital cutting (FGC) type IV by the World Health Organization, is an under-researched area gaining momentum among diaspora communities. Our aim was to explore factors associated with being supportive of pricking among Somalis in Sweden. Methods: In a cross-sectional design, attitudes and knowledge regarding FGC, and measures of socioeconomic status, acculturation, and social capital, were assessed by a 49-item questionnaire in four municipalities in Sweden. Data were collected in 2015 from 648 Somali men and women, ≥ 18 years old, of which 113 supported the continuation of pricking. Logistic regression was used for the analysis. Results: Those more likely to support the continuation of pricking were older, originally from rural areas, and newly arrived in Sweden. Further, those who reported that they thought pricking was: acceptable, according to their religion (aOR: 10.59, 95% CI: 5.44-20.62); not a violation of children's rights (aOR: 2.86, 95% CI: 1.46-5.61); and did not cause long-term health complications (aOR: 5.52, 95% CI: 2.25-13.52) had higher odds of supporting pricking. Religion was strongly associated with the support of pricking among both genders. However, for men, children's rights and the definition of pricking as FGC or not were important aspects in how they viewed pricking, while, for women, health complications and respectability were important. Conclusions: Values known to be associated with FGC in general are also related to pricking. Hence, there seems to be a change in what types of FGC are supported rather than in their perceived values. © 2017 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Female genital cutting Migration Female genital mutilation Sweden Diaspora Somalia Pricking Nicking female circumcision

Index Keywords

rural area immigrant social capital logistic regression analysis human ethics Logistic Models Somali (citizen) ethnology religion Cross-Sectional Studies human rights Young Adult Sweden social status cross-sectional study psychology Humans male female questionnaire cultural factor Circumcision, Female female genital mutilation legislation and jurisprudence thinking major clinical study adult gender Somalia statistical model Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85027131728&doi=10.1186%2fs12978-017-0351-0&partnerID=40&md5=f3d5183840e61bc0f30bd4bdbbae649f
DOI: 10.1186/s12978-017-0351-0
ISSN: 17424755
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English