Table 3 Thematic analysis

Reasons to perform FGM

Harm reduction vs the procedure being carried out by a traditional practitioner

To prevent unnecessary harm and reduce health complications

[35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 47, 48]

[44]

By providing safe/hygienic conditions

[38, 47]

By reducing pain with anaesthesia

[38]

Cultural reasons

“Cultural reasons”

[39, 40, 46]

Convinced about the benefits of FGM

[37]

Trying to enhance women’s value (to do well for woman): helping the woman to maintain marriage (for husband’s sexual pleasure); beautification, completion

[35]

Seeing themselves as safeguards of the tradition

[48]

Financial reasons

For profit/for money

[35, 37, 40, 46, 47]

Gifts

[47]

Trying to satisfy the requests of the community & Community/social pressure

Responding to sociocultural requests

[35, 47]

Dealing with pressure from the family/community

[35, 40, 47]

To respond to requests as a way of demonstrating respect for cultural values and upholding customs and traditions

[47]

Strategy to decrease FGM practice

First step towards the prevention of the practice

[38]

Religious requirement

[46]

Legal practice

Would support a woman’s request for re-infibulation after childbirth if it was legal

[43]

Reasons not to perform FGM

Health complications of FGM

[35, 46]

Illegal practice

[46]

[36, 44, 45]

FGM is a “bad practice”

Not a good practice

[42]

Anger towards the practice

[36]

Unconvinced about the benefits of FGM

[37]

Not specialized for performing FGM

[37]