Impact of female genital mutilation on sexual function and psychosocial wellbeing among Somali women: a cross-sectional study
BMC WOMENS HEALTH, vol.26, no.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 26 Issue: 1
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1186/s12905-026-04529-5
- Journal Name: BMC WOMENS HEALTH
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Istanbul University Affiliated: No
Abstract
Background Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is associated with significant physical, psychological, and sexual health consequences. This study sought to examine the impact of FGM on sexual function and psychosocial well-being among women in Somalia compared to those without FGM.Background Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is associated with significant physical, psychological, and sexual health consequences. This study sought to examine the impact of FGM on sexual function and psychosocial well-being among women in Somalia compared to those without FGM. Methods A total of 753 women were consecutively enrolled, including 707 with FGM and 46 without. Data collected included age, type of FGM (Types I-IV), decision-maker, and setting of the procedure. Participants completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18) to evaluate sexual function and psychosocial well-being. Results The prevalence of FGM was 93.9%, with Type II being the most common (47.1%), followed by Type III (28.1%), Type I (18.9%), and Type IV (5.9%). Mothers were the primary decision-makers in 60.0% of cases. Sexual dysfunction was significantly more prevalent among women with FGM (64.6%) compared to those without (34.8%) (p < 0.001). The incidence of dysfunction increased with FGM severity: Type I (52.2%), Type II (60.2%), Type III (74.9%), and Type IV (90.5%) (p < 0.001). Women with FGM demonstrated significantly decreased sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and higher pain, anxiety, depression, and somatization (p < 0.001). Regression analysis revealed a strong inverse association between FGM and all domains of sexual and psychological health, with odds ratios increasing with the FGM type (Type I: OR = 2.1; Type II: OR = 2.8; Type III: OR = 5.6; Type IV: OR = 17.8). Conclusion Our findings suggest that women in FGM experience significantly greater psychosexual and psychosocial impairments compared to their non-FGM counterparts.