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Acceptability of a Smartphone Application to Enhance Healthcare to Female Genital Mutilation Survivors in Liberia: A Qualitative Study

Author

Listed:
  • Kim Nordmann

    (Institute of Occupational & Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany)

  • Guillermo Z. Martínez-Pérez

    (African Women’s Research Observatory, 08009 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Mandella King

    (Saint Joseph’s Catholic Hospital, Monrovia 1000, Liberia)

  • Thomas Küpper

    (Institute of Occupational & Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany)

  • Ana Belén Subirón-Valera

    (Department of Physiatrics and Nursing, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
    Research Group Water and Environmental Health (B43_20R), University Institute of Research in Environmental Science of Aragón, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
    Research Group Sector III Healthcare (GIIS081), Institute of Research of Aragón, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain)

Abstract

In Liberia, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a legally allowed initiation ritual in the secret Sande society. Due to the secrecy, Liberian healthcare providers receive little education on FGM/C and its health consequences. As mobile learning approaches proved to efficiently increase providers’ knowledge and skills, a mobile application (‘app’) was designed to support self-learning, decision-making, and the follow-up of FGM/C survivors’ health. The ‘app’ was introduced in a capacity-building project in 2019 and evaluated through this qualitative study to assess healthcare provider’s needs and acceptance. We conducted 22 semi-structured interviews and eight focus group discussions with 42 adult healthcare providers in three Liberian counties. A thematic approach grounded in descriptive phenomenology guided data analysis and led to three main themes: the ‘app’, mobile learning and health education, and personal impression. Healthcare providers judge the ‘app’ useful to broaden their knowledge and skills, which might lead to better FGM/C detection and management. The ‘app’ might further facilitate patient and community education about the negative health consequences of FMG/C, possibly contributing to a reduction of FGM/C prevalence.

Suggested Citation

  • Kim Nordmann & Guillermo Z. Martínez-Pérez & Mandella King & Thomas Küpper & Ana Belén Subirón-Valera, 2022. "Acceptability of a Smartphone Application to Enhance Healthcare to Female Genital Mutilation Survivors in Liberia: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:10855-:d:902606
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kim Nordmann & Ana Belén Subirón-Valera & Mandella King & Thomas Küpper & Guillermo Z. Martínez-Pérez, 2022. "Management of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting-Related Obstetric Complications: A Training Evaluation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-12, July.
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