Research Update – Bridging the Gap

FORWARD has recently completed a study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of female genital mutilation (FGM) among four ethnic minority communities namely Somalis, Ethiopians, Sudanese and Eritreans in the royal borough of Kensington Chelsea and Westminster. The knowledge and attitudes of health professionals working in the same borough were also surveyed.

The study revealed that 81.4% of the women interviewed had undergone FGM, and the majority of those respondents were in their reproductive age group, thus representing a challenge to health professionals and existing health services, which must be addressed.

The study entitled ‘Female Genital Mutilation: Knowledge, Attitudes and Responses amongst Communities and Health Professionals’ was sponsored by KCW Health Authority and co-ordinated by Eunice Munanie.