Assessing the Knowledge and Attitude Among Somali Men In King County Towards Female Genital Mutilation

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-06

Abstract: Background: Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in practiced in many African countries. Somalia has the highest prevalence in world, where almost all women are subjected to the practice. FGM/C, which is deeply rooted practice in some cultures, has long and short-term health complications on women who undergo the practice. Many communities originating from FGM/C prevalent countries reside in the U.S., therefore, the risk of girls undergoing FGM/C is high. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude among Somali men in King County towards Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). Methodology: This qualitative was carried out in King County Washington between October 4, 2015 and June 6, 2016. Sixteen in depth interviews and two focus group discussions were conducted using snowball sampling. The participants were Somali men between ages of 23 and 60. Data was collected using questionnaires for both the in depth interviews and focus group discussions. Conclusion: This assessment was able to determine some of the knowledge and attitudes of Somali men in King County towards female genital mutilation. Knowledge about illegalization and awareness of FGM/C’s health implications on women seemed to have played a large role in shifting men’s attitudes during and after migration to the US; therefore, resettlement programs that focus on these aspects in their outreach may be more effective in changing practices.