Providing information to improve body image and care-seeking behavior of women and girls living with female genital mutilation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Female genital mutilation (FGM) has become recognized worldwide as an extreme form of violation of the human rights of girls and women. Strategies have been employed to curb the practice.


OBJECTIVE
To conduct a systematic review of randomized and nonrandomized studies of the effects of providing educational interventions on the body image and care-seeking behavior of girls and women living with FGM with the view to ending the practice.


METHODS
CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and other databases were searched up to August 10, 2015 without any language restrictions.


METHODS
Studies that provided education to women and/or girls living with any type of FGM or residing in countries where FGM is predominantly practiced were included.


METHODS
Two authors independently screened and collected data. We summarized dichotomous outcomes using odds ratios and evidence was assessed using the GRADE system (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation).


RESULTS
Educational interventions resulted in fewer women recommending FGM for their daughters and also reduced the incidence of FGM cases among daughters of women who received the educational interventions.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings need to be validated with large randomized trials.
42015024637.
Department of Public Health, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
Ekpereonne
E
Esu
Department of Family Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.
Ifeyinwa
I
Okoye
Department of Computer Science, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.|Cross River Health and Demographic Surveillance System, Directorate of Research, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
Iwara
I
Arikpo
Department of Public Health, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
Regina
R
Ejemot-Nwadiaro
Department of Pediatrics, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.
Martin M
MM
Meremikwu
D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D019093:Circumcision, Female / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans
Care-seeking behavior; Education; Female genital mutilation; Information; Meta-analysis; Systematic review