Crime Victimization, Health, and Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting Among Somali Women and Adolescent Girls in the United States, 2017.

Abstract

<i>Objectives.</i> To examine if exposure to victimization (e.g., homicide, violence, sexual assault, arson, kidnapping) is related to health problems, health care access and barriers, and health needs-beyond the effects of female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C)-among Somali women and adolescent girls.<i>Methods.</i> We collected original survey data in 2017 from 879 female Somalis in Arizona.<i>Results.</i> Compared with nonvictims, victims experienced significantly more health problems, were significantly less likely to have a designated place to receive health care, and identified significantly more health care needs and barriers to health care. Victims were 4 times more likely to experience depression or trauma and more than twice as likely to experience sexual intercourse problems, pregnancy problems, and gynecological problems. Among Somalis with FGM/C, victims had a 15% higher predicted probability of pregnancy-related health problems and a 19% higher predicted probability of gynecological health problems compared with nonvictimized Somalis with FGM/C.<i>Conclusions.</i> Somalis exposed to victimization have more health problems, needs, and health care barriers.<i>Public Health Implications.</i> Although more than 98% of Somali women and adolescent girls have undergone FGM/C, crime victimization affects health more than FGM/C alone.