Proportion of health service delivery points in FGM program intervention areas where at least one healthcare staff member is trained on FGM prevention, protection, and care services

Proportion of health service delivery points in FGM program intervention areas where at least one healthcare staff member is trained on FGM prevention, protection, and care services

Proportion of health service delivery points in FGM program intervention areas where at least one healthcare staff member is trained on FGM prevention, protection, and care services

 

Definition

This indicator measures the proportion of health service delivery points in female genital mutilation (FGM) program intervention areas where at least one healthcare staff member is trained on FGM prevention, protection, and care services.

Data Requirements

Numerator: The number of health facilities in the intervention areas of the joint program where at least one health staff member is trained in counseling services, treatment of sequelae of FGM, and referrals to social and legal services.

Denominator: The total number of health facilities in the intervention areas that could potentially provide services related to FGM.

Data Sources

The primary data source for this indicator will be surveys conducted at health facilities within the FGM program intervention areas.

Purpose

The purpose of this indicator is to ensure that health facilities within the intervention areas have at least one staff member who is equipped to apply the FGM care guidelines and provide the necessary prevention, protection, and care services to women and girls affected by FGM.

Training on FGM prevention may include topics related to educating families about FGM, reporting concerns, how to refuse an FGM request, and documenting and reporting FGM services.

Training on protection may include topics related to the national law on FGM, national/subnational code-of-conduct penalties, and how FGM violates medical ethics and should not be performed by any health provider.

Training on FGM care services may include general information on FGM complications, clinical management steps for each complication based on the providers’ skill sets and competencies, providing mental health support and counseling, and documenting and recording FGM care services (WHO, 2022).

Issues

This indicator does not specify the exact number of staff trained and, therefore, does not indicate whether FGM-related services are always available. Service availability may be compromised if the trained staff member is not on duty, as the indicator only ensures that at least one staff member is trained, not necessarily that one is always available. The indicator does not assess the cadre of healthcare staff, the quality of the services provided, nor does it specify the recency of training.

Reference:

UNFPA, UNICEF. 2020. Measuring effectiveness of female genital mutilation elimination: A compendium of Indicators. Prepared and published by UNFPA and UNICEF on behalf of the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the elimination of female genital mutilation: Accelerating Change, 2020.

WHO. 2022. Integrating female genital mutilation content into nursing and midwifery curricula: a practical guide. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240042025