Improving care for women affected by female genital cutting in Tanzania
Treatment of Health Complications due to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Tanzania: Curriculum Build, Implementation, and Evaluation
This project creates and pilots culturally appropriate training for Tanzanian healthcare workers so they can better care for girls and women who have undergone female genital cutting.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11193222 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will start by talking with women who experienced FGM/C and with healthcare providers to learn the specific medical, sexual, and mental health needs in Tanzania. They will use what they learn to adapt an existing training program into materials that fit local culture and ethics. The team will use a train-the-trainer approach to teach local instructors and then deliver a pilot training at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences. The project will follow up to see whether providers feel better prepared and whether care for affected women improves.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants include women and girls in Tanzania who have experienced FGM/C and healthcare students or providers at MUHAS and local clinics willing to join interviews and the training program.
Not a fit: People living outside Tanzania or those not served by the participating hospitals and clinics are unlikely to see direct benefits from this pilot.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help Tanzanian women receive more informed, sensitive, and effective medical and mental health care after FGM/C.
How similar studies have performed: Some FGM/C training programs have been developed elsewhere but effectiveness studies are uncommon, so this tailored pilot is promising yet still relatively untested.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Connor, Jennifer Jo — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Connor, Jennifer Jo
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.