The Impact of Female Genital Cutting on African Immigrants

 描述（由申请人提供）：虽然在美国的非洲移民的数量和多样性有所增加，他们的需求和做法仍然知之甚少，有越来越多的需要，以评估他们的医疗保健需求和做法，以提供有效的服务，这一人口。在美国，来自非洲国家的移民涌入 切割女性生殖器的流行率很高，这使不熟悉这一程序的医疗和心理健康专业人员在提供服务时面临多重困境，包括围绕儿童保护的法律的法律和道德考虑，以及如何适当应对切割女性生殖器造成的身体、性和情感问题。本研究的目的是了解女性生殖器切割对非洲女性移民在纽约市大都市区的角度来看，谁忍受了程序和他们的医疗保健提供者的影响。这项研究的长期目标是为干预措施奠定基础：a）通过在非洲移民社区开展敏感教育，减少切割女性生殖器的发生; B）与接受过切割女性生殖器手术的妇女合作，使她们了解如何与保健提供者合作，从而最好地照顾自己;（c）培训专业人员，提供文化-为那些已经接受手术或有风险的人提供敏感的临床服务。这样的研究结果可能是第一步为服务提供者制定培训和实践政策。 该项目的研究小组反映了在对移民人口，特别是西非移民进行研究以及在生殖健康、创伤和支助网络方面的强大背景和广泛经验。在整个项目中，PI将咨询她的导师：Denise Hien博士（妇女和创伤研究）和Beatrice Krauss（生殖健康，艾滋病毒和支持网络研究），她的合作者Adriana埃斯皮诺萨博士和Tracy Chu将贡献他们的数据分析和研究专业知识。此外，将有两名健康或行为科学领域的研究生水平的女性研究助理（RA），至少有一年的面试和研究经验，以协助PI进行招聘，面试和分析。助理将接受PI关于FGC的广泛培训，就极其敏感的话题进行访谈，使用和向受访者介绍音频计算机自我访谈技术（ACASI）并验证其正确使用。他们还将接受扎根理论方法的额外培训，以确定焦点小组中出现的主题。最后，来自纽约市立大学（CCNY）的两名本科生将有机会通过协助该项目的行政方面获得研究经验。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): While the number and diversity of African immigrants in the United States (US) has increased, their needs and practices remain poorly understood and there is a growing need to assess their health care needs and practices in order to provide this population with effective services. In the US, the influx of immigrants from African countries with high Female Genital Cutting (FGC) prevalence rates has exposed medical and mental health professionals unfamiliar with this procedure to multiple dilemmas in service provision, including legal and ethical considerations around child protection and how to respond appropriately to physical, sexual and emotional problems caused by FGC. The purpose of this study is to understand the impact of FGC on Female African immigrants in the New York City metropolitan area from the perspective of both the women who have endured the procedure and their health care providers. The long term goals of this study are to develop the foundation for interventions: a) to reduce the occurrence of FGC through sensitive education within African immigrant communities; b) to work with women who have had the procedure on how to work with their health care providers and thereby take the best care of themselves; and c) to train professionals to provide culturally-sensitive clinical services for those who have already undergone the procedure or are at risk for it. Findings from such a study could be an initial step towards developing training and practice policies for service providers. The research team for this project reflects a strong background and extensive experience in conducting research with immigrant populations, and in particular with West African immigrants, and in reproductive health, trauma, and support networks. Throughout this project, the PI will consult with her mentors: Drs. Denise Hien (research with women and trauma) and Beatrice Krauss (research with reproductive health, HIV and support networks) and her collaborators, Drs. Adriana Espinosa and Tracy Chu will contribute their data analysis and research expertise. In addition, there will be two graduate- level female Research Assistants (RAs) in health or behavioral sciences with at least one year of interview and research experience to assist the PI in recruiting, interviewing and analysis. The RAs will receive extensive training from the PI on FGC, interviewing on extremely sensitive topics, using and introducing the respondents to Audio Computer Self Interview Technology (ACASI) and verifying its correct use. They will also receive additional training in grounded theory approach in order to identify emergent themes in the focus groups. Finally, two undergraduate students from the City College of New York (CCNY), which is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) will be given the opportunity to gain research experience by assisting with administrative aspects of the project.