Egyptian Fertility Care Society
2A, al-Doctor al-Mahrouqui Street
7th floor, Mohandessin, CairoTel: (202) 344.1573
(202) 344.1574
Fax: (202) 346.8782
Email: [email protected]
Project Title
EFCS Planning Study of the Long-term Health Effects of Female
Circumcision as Practiced in Egypt
Responsible Technical Officer
Prof. Ezzeldin Osman Hassan
January 2004 Activity Report
Introduction
Given the increasing medicalization of FC in Egypt as a result
of increased public advocacy efforts and awareness raising of the
immediate hazards of FC, the EFCS has acknowledged the existence
of a research gap regarding the long-term harmful effects of FC.
The EFCS has highlighted the need for carrying out research addressing
unpreventable long-term harmful effects of type I and II of FC,
the types most prevalent in Egypt. With the support of the Ford
Foundation, the EFCS has commenced a Feasibility Study for Formulation
of a Research Project to Document the Unpreventable Long-term Effects
of Female Circumcision as Practices in Egypt.
Activities commencing November 1, 2002
1. a) Completion of Literature Review of FGC Research Involving
Types I and II Circumcision, by Dr. Enas Gaballa, Lecturer, Department
of Public Health, Assiut University.
Dr. Gaballa has composed a comprehensive bibliography on FGC research
in Egypt and compiled all available literature and information sources
related to research conducted to date on FGC according to set terms
of reference. The bibliography also contains references to Arabic
papers on FC, as well as references to submitted theses on the subject
of FC in Egypt. Sources were classified under the following major
categories:
Psychosexual Complications
Medical Complications
Physiological Complications
Sexual Complications
Psychological Complications
Social Consequences
To view Dr. Gaballas’s bibliography on the health effects of FC,
b) Assignment of Senior Researcher to Conduct the Critical Review
of the Literature.
Dr. Maha El Rabbat, Assistant Professor of Public Health, Faculty
of Medicine, Cairo University, carried out a literature review on
all research carried to date involving Types I and II of FGC, with
specific terms of reference. These were later circulated during
the Research Workshop in March 2003.
2. Production of the Background Document
Titled A Critical Review of Studies Investigating The Adverse Effects
of Female Genital Cutting (FGC) with Particular Reference to Types
I and II Practiced in Egypt, prepared by Dr. Maha El-Rabbat. The
document will be circulated on a wide level at the term of the project.
3. Holding Project Planning/Steering Committee Meetings
Two meetings were held during the reporting period for the purpose
of planning and review of project activities.
4. Holding of Orientation Meeting / Researchers Workshop
A researchers workshop focusing on The Long-term Effects of Female
Circumcision as Practiced in Egypt was held on March 27-29, 2003,
bringing together 43 international and Egyptian researchers in the
field of reproductive health research who deliberated the workshop
topic and advised EFCS on important issues in the planning of future
FGC research. Three topics were selected for inclusion in the EFCS
planned programme of research. The three themes are
a. Relation of FGC to the Social, Psychological and Psychosexual
Well-Being of the Egyptian Woman.
b. Perception of the FGC Experience and its Impact on the Physical,
Psychological and Psychosexual Well-being of Young Egyptian Females.
c. Reproductive Tract Infections in Relation to FGC.
The EFCS is currently preparing the research protocols and data
collection tools of the planned FGC program of research for the
pilot phase of the project.
5. Assignment of ad-hoc committees and working groups.
Three Expert Committees ensured the presence of the expertise needed
for research design and development of data collection tools to
be used in the three components of the planned EGCS program of research.
Weekly meetings are held at EFCS offices on alternative days, with
library and secretarial support services facilitated by EFCS project
staff.
6. Holding bi-monthly review meetings for ad-hoc committee leaders.
Weekly meetings have taken place for the three working groups on
alternating days, addressing specified terms of reference.
For more information and updates on project,
please contact
Dr. Naglaa El Nagal, Program Officer for Research