Introduction : While the health sector is responsible for providing treatment and care to women/girls with FGM, it can also play an important role in the prevention of the practice. To understand the existing prevention efforts and to develop a prevention framework for the health sector, a scoping review was undertaken.

Methods : Searches were conducted using PubMed to identify published literature, and using Google, hand searching and other snowballing methods to identify existing manuals and training materials that involved health sector-based interventions for preventing FGM from 1993 to October 8, 2017.

Results : 59 citations of peer reviewed literature, guidelines, recommendations and manuals were analysed to develop content categories and health sector-based strategies to prevent FGM through interventions and trainings targeting the health system and health professionals. The included strategies relevant for diaspora and high prevalence countries will be summarized in a framework for the health sector.

Conclusion : Prevention and safeguarding relevant interventions have rarely been evaluated. Innovative strategies and methods of evaluation are needed.