Female Genital Mutilation: A Religio-cultural Sensitive Issue Determining Maternal Healthcare Choices among Somali Women in Dadaab Refugee Camp, Kenya

This paper focuses on Kenya’s development challenges in maternal health care, especially the impact of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and female genital mutilation (FGM) among refugees. The study identifies four objectives: to discuss persistence FGM Somali women Ifo Refugee Camp; establish hospital process providing care mothers who have gone through FGM; find out level preparedness midwives handle with religio-cultural concerns such as prayer non-involvement male nurses; how practice contributes preference TBA by mothers. assumes that midwives’ training may not effectively addressed FGM, a social-cultural sensitive issue affecting childbirth care. specific support refugee camps contexts also remains limited. A qualitative research approach was used study, involving Snowballing sampling method, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs). These methods brought pertinent issues make TBAs preferential option for some despite presence 4 category hospitals camps. In case complications, mother’s choice delays family’s decision take her healthcare workers save mother child. shortage seek assistance from TBAs. There is need contextualize midwifery enhancing curriculum evidence-based/mother-centered skills.