The Impact of Female Genital Cutting on African Immigrants

 描述(由申请人提供)：尽管在美国的非洲移民的数量和多样性有所增加，但他们的需求和做法仍然缺乏了解，越来越有必要评估他们的医疗保健需求和做法，以便为这些人口提供有效的服务。在美国，来自非洲国家的移民涌入 由于女性生殖器切割(FGC)的流行率很高，不熟悉这一程序的医疗和精神卫生专业人员在提供服务时面临着多重困境，包括关于儿童保护的法律和伦理考虑，以及如何适当地应对FGC造成的身体、性和情感问题。这项研究的目的是从经历过这一手术的妇女及其医疗保健提供者的角度来了解FGC对纽约大都市区非洲女性移民的影响。这项研究的长期目标是为干预措施奠定基础：(A)通过非洲移民社区内的敏感教育减少FGC的发生；(B)与接受过该手术的妇女合作，了解如何与其医疗保健提供者合作，从而使自己得到最好的照顾；以及(C)培训专业人员，为已经接受该手术或面临该手术风险的人提供对文化有敏感认识的临床服务。这项研究的结果可能是朝着为服务提供者制定培训和实践政策迈出的第一步。该项目的研究小组反映了在移民人口、特别是西非移民以及生殖健康、创伤和支助网络方面开展研究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(研究妇女和创伤)和Beatrice Krauss博士(研究生殖健康、艾滋病毒和支持网络)，以及她的合作者Adriana Espinosa博士和Tracy Chu博士将贡献他们的数据分析和研究专业知识。此外，还将有两名具有至少一年面试和研究经验的健康或行为科学专业研究生级别的女性研究助理，以协助专业人员的招聘、面试和分析。视察员将接受私人助理有关FGC的广泛培训，就极其敏感的话题进行访问，使用并向受访者介绍有声电脑自访技术(ACASI)，并验证其正确使用。他们还将接受扎根理论方法方面的额外培训，以确定重点小组中的紧急主题。最后，纽约城市学院(CCNY)的两名本科生将有机会通过协助该项目的行政管理来获得研究经验。

 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.