An analysis of YouTube videos on female genital mutilation as a global issue

Abstract

Objective: Female genital mutilation is the removal of female genital organs for non-medical reasons, which is widely practiced worldwide. Female genital mutilation is a dark subject for the scientific world since it is often practiced in closed societies. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of YouTube videos in the prevention of female genital mutilation. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, an internet search was conducted on YouTube.com on May 1, 2021, using the keywords «female genital mutilation» and «female circumcision» on a web browser with a clear cache and latest updates. Search results were evaluated in terms of the demographic characteristics of uploaders and the quality and reliability of the videos. Results: Most of the videos were shared by women. The videos shared by women and healthcare professionals were higher quality and more reliable compared to videos uploaded by men and religious personnel. Conclusion: YouTube.com videos may be beneficial for the prevention of female genital mutilation, but more attention should be paid to this issue, particularly by healthcare professionals, and more reliable videos with the higher quality should be shared. Keywords: Circumcision, female, genitalia.