N Van Eekert
Biographic Data
| ID | 259906 |
|---|---|
| NAME | N Van Eekert |
| GIVEN NAMES | N |
| FAMILY NAME | Van Eekert |
| SIGNATURE | VAN EEKERT N |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Antwerp |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-5508-1018 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 18 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 13 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 18 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2018 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Study Protocol
Background: While Belgium has traditionally been supportive of school-based sexuality education (SE), this seems to be changing. This shift is demonstrated by vocal protests and arson at six schools in the French-speaking part of Belgium following a law mandating 4 h of SE (September 2023), and by increased reports of parental objections during the recent Weeks of Spring Fever in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium (March 2024). This stu…
Single fathers at the workplace
In this article, we explore how single fathers in Belgium navigate the dual expectations of caregiving and breadwinning after a divorce or separation. We focus on how societal norms around fatherhood and work shape men’s ability to balance care responsibilities with employment demands. Through a two-step sampling design, we conducted qualitative interviews with 17 single fathers in our primary sample and 46 single fathers in an elaborative sample…
Understanding the role of medicalisation in mothers’ decision-making on daughters’ female genital cutting in Assiut, Egypt
In recent decades, female genital cutting (FGC) has become increasingly medicalised (with the practice being performed by health professionals) in Egypt. Whilst various national and international policies condemn medicalised FGC, the basis for these policies frequently rests on moral arguments and presumed outcomes rather than rigorously derived evidence. What remains largely unaddressed in debate on the shift towards medicalisation of FGC is an …
Sexual Activity and Mental Health in Higher Education Students in Antwerp, Belgium During the Covid-19 Pandemic
The medicalisation of female genital cutting in Kenya
In Kenya, the prevalence of Female Genital Cutting (FGC) is slowly decreasing. Simultaneously, the practice is increasingly being performed by healthcare providers rather than traditional circumcisers, which may pose the risk of legitimising the practice. To date, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using the 1998, 2008-09, and 2014 Kenyan Demographic Health Surveys, this study aims to enhance understanding by mapping both FGC pre…
Not to Date or How to Date? Disentangling the Association Between Dating Life and Depressive Feelings in College Students
This study explored the role of romantic relationships in mental health among college students who were in the stage of emerging adulthood. Specifically, we investigated five different dating categories: “in a relationship”, “breakup”, “singles, online dating”, “singles, offline dating”, and “singles, not dating” and their associations with depressive feelings. Moreover, the study examined how status satisfaction and family ties may influence the…
Study Protocol Medimig
Background: European society is becoming increasingly diverse due to high levels of migration. Persons with a migration background, especially those from non-western countries, may experience significant challenges when they seek medical care. Some of the main issues arise in the context of medical decision-making (MDM), where cultural preferences for close family involvement may be difficult to reconcile with the western model of medicine, as en…
Rethinking the Definition of Medicalized Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
What interventions are effective to prevent or respond to female genital mutilation? A review of existing evidence from 2008–2020
As the final decade of acceleration towards zero new cases of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM, SDG Target 5.3) by 2030 has begun, increasing the rigour, relevance, and utility of research for programming, policy development and resource allocation is critical. This study aimed to synthesize and assess the quality and strength of existing evidence on interventions designed to prevent or respond to FGM between 2008 and 2020.The study drew on a Rapid…
Exploring the association between perceived male attitudes and female attitudes toward the discontinuation of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Egypt
In alignment with previous findings in the literature, women were more likely to support the discontinuation of FGM/C if they believed that men want the practice to discontinue as well and vice versa. At a higher level of secondary education however this association is less pronounced. This result concludes that the role of perceived male attitudes should be an important factor associated with female ones and studied further, and underlines the i…
Understanding Mental Wellbeing amongst Potentially Vulnerable Higher Education Students during the Covid-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, higher education students were reported as one of the most affected in terms of wellbeing. In the current study, we explored higher education students’ self-perceptions on why and how their mental wellbeing was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and its related measures. Focus group discussions with potentially vulnerable university student groups, as well as university staff, revealed that the students described the …
Understanding the Academic and Social Integration Process of Students Entering Higher Education
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in numerous fields, including higher education. New students have been identified as a vulnerable sub-population experiencing stress and mental health problems due to the pandemic. Little research, however, explores how and why they are particularly vulnerable. We aimed to answer (1) how new students experienced their academic and social integration process during the pandemic and (2) how these…
Mothers' perceptions of the medicalisation of female genital cutting among the Kisii population in Kenya
While within the Kisii community in Kenya the prevalence of female genital cutting (FGC) is decreasing, the practice is increasingly being performed by health professionals. This study aims to analyse these changes by identifying mothers' motives to opt for medicalised FGC, and how this choice possibly relates to other changes in the practice. We conducted face-to-face semi-structured in-depth interviews with mothers who had daughters around the …
To Medicalise or Not to Medicalise
Today, female genital cutting ( fgc ) is more often performed by health professionals. In this dissertation we aim to answer the question of why mothers opt to medicalise their daughters’ cut, and how this decision relates to their social position within their community. We focus on Egypt and Kenya. The first important conclusion of our research is that increasing medicalisation and decreasing fgc prevalence can coexist. Moreover, we identify thr…
The medicalisation of female genital cutting
Today, female genital cutting is increasingly practised by trained healthcare providers. While opposition to medicalised female genital cutting (FGC) is strong, little is known about the underlying motivation for this medicalisation trend in practising communities. We formulated three hypotheses based on medicalisation theories. The medicalisation of FGC: (i) is stratified and functions as a status symbol, (ii) functions as a harm-reduction strat…
An examination of the medicalization trend in female genital cutting in Egypt
Characteristics of Women Who Present for Abortion Beyond the Legal Limit in Flanders, Belgium
A fuller consideration of patients' characteristics when evaluating Belgian abortion policy is needed to ensure that the needs and rights of socioeconomically vulnerable women are addressed
The Association Between Women's Social Position and the Medicalization of Female Genital Cutting in Egypt
CONTEXT: Medicalization of female genital cutting (i.e., having the procedure done by a medical professional) has increased in Egypt in recent years. The relationship between a woman's social position and the decision to use a trained health professional to perform genital cutting is not well understood. METHODS: Data from the 2005, 2008 and 2014 Egypt Demographic Health Surveys on 11,455 women whose daughter had undergone female genital cutting …
An examination of the medicalization trend in female genital cutting in Egypt
Understanding the Academic and Social Integration Process of Students Entering Higher Education
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in numerous fields, including higher education. New students have been identified as a vulnerable sub-population experiencing stress and mental health problems due to the pandemic. Little research, however, explores how and why they are particularly vulnerable. We aimed to answer (1) how new students experienced their academic and social integration process during the pandemic and (2) how these…
The medicalisation of female genital cutting in Kenya
In Kenya, the prevalence of Female Genital Cutting (FGC) is slowly decreasing. Simultaneously, the practice is increasingly being performed by healthcare providers rather than traditional circumcisers, which may pose the risk of legitimising the practice. To date, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using the 1998, 2008-09, and 2014 Kenyan Demographic Health Surveys, this study aims to enhance understanding by mapping both FGC pre…
Rethinking the Definition of Medicalized Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
Understanding Mental Wellbeing amongst Potentially Vulnerable Higher Education Students during the Covid-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, higher education students were reported as one of the most affected in terms of wellbeing. In the current study, we explored higher education students’ self-perceptions on why and how their mental wellbeing was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and its related measures. Focus group discussions with potentially vulnerable university student groups, as well as university staff, revealed that the students described the …
The medicalisation of female genital cutting
Today, female genital cutting is increasingly practised by trained healthcare providers. While opposition to medicalised female genital cutting (FGC) is strong, little is known about the underlying motivation for this medicalisation trend in practising communities. We formulated three hypotheses based on medicalisation theories. The medicalisation of FGC: (i) is stratified and functions as a status symbol, (ii) functions as a harm-reduction strat…
The Association Between Women's Social Position and the Medicalization of Female Genital Cutting in Egypt
CONTEXT: Medicalization of female genital cutting (i.e., having the procedure done by a medical professional) has increased in Egypt in recent years. The relationship between a woman's social position and the decision to use a trained health professional to perform genital cutting is not well understood. METHODS: Data from the 2005, 2008 and 2014 Egypt Demographic Health Surveys on 11,455 women whose daughter had undergone female genital cutting …
Characteristics of Women Who Present for Abortion Beyond the Legal Limit in Flanders, Belgium
A fuller consideration of patients' characteristics when evaluating Belgian abortion policy is needed to ensure that the needs and rights of socioeconomically vulnerable women are addressed
An examination of the medicalization trend in female genital cutting in Egypt
To Medicalise or Not to Medicalise
Today, female genital cutting ( fgc ) is more often performed by health professionals. In this dissertation we aim to answer the question of why mothers opt to medicalise their daughters’ cut, and how this decision relates to their social position within their community. We focus on Egypt and Kenya. The first important conclusion of our research is that increasing medicalisation and decreasing fgc prevalence can coexist. Moreover, we identify thr…
The medicalisation of female genital cutting
Today, female genital cutting is increasingly practised by trained healthcare providers. While opposition to medicalised female genital cutting (FGC) is strong, little is known about the underlying motivation for this medicalisation trend in practising communities. We formulated three hypotheses based on medicalisation theories. The medicalisation of FGC: (i) is stratified and functions as a status symbol, (ii) functions as a harm-reduction strat…
Mothers' perceptions of the medicalisation of female genital cutting among the Kisii population in Kenya
While within the Kisii community in Kenya the prevalence of female genital cutting (FGC) is decreasing, the practice is increasingly being performed by health professionals. This study aims to analyse these changes by identifying mothers' motives to opt for medicalised FGC, and how this choice possibly relates to other changes in the practice. We conducted face-to-face semi-structured in-depth interviews with mothers who had daughters around the …
What interventions are effective to prevent or respond to female genital mutilation? A review of existing evidence from 2008–2020
As the final decade of acceleration towards zero new cases of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM, SDG Target 5.3) by 2030 has begun, increasing the rigour, relevance, and utility of research for programming, policy development and resource allocation is critical. This study aimed to synthesize and assess the quality and strength of existing evidence on interventions designed to prevent or respond to FGM between 2008 and 2020.The study drew on a Rapid…
Exploring the association between perceived male attitudes and female attitudes toward the discontinuation of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Egypt
In alignment with previous findings in the literature, women were more likely to support the discontinuation of FGM/C if they believed that men want the practice to discontinue as well and vice versa. At a higher level of secondary education however this association is less pronounced. This result concludes that the role of perceived male attitudes should be an important factor associated with female ones and studied further, and underlines the i…
Understanding Mental Wellbeing amongst Potentially Vulnerable Higher Education Students during the Covid-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, higher education students were reported as one of the most affected in terms of wellbeing. In the current study, we explored higher education students’ self-perceptions on why and how their mental wellbeing was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and its related measures. Focus group discussions with potentially vulnerable university student groups, as well as university staff, revealed that the students described the …
Understanding the Academic and Social Integration Process of Students Entering Higher Education
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in numerous fields, including higher education. New students have been identified as a vulnerable sub-population experiencing stress and mental health problems due to the pandemic. Little research, however, explores how and why they are particularly vulnerable. We aimed to answer (1) how new students experienced their academic and social integration process during the pandemic and (2) how these…
Rethinking the Definition of Medicalized Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
Sexual Activity and Mental Health in Higher Education Students in Antwerp, Belgium During the Covid-19 Pandemic
The medicalisation of female genital cutting in Kenya
In Kenya, the prevalence of Female Genital Cutting (FGC) is slowly decreasing. Simultaneously, the practice is increasingly being performed by healthcare providers rather than traditional circumcisers, which may pose the risk of legitimising the practice. To date, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using the 1998, 2008-09, and 2014 Kenyan Demographic Health Surveys, this study aims to enhance understanding by mapping both FGC pre…
Not to Date or How to Date? Disentangling the Association Between Dating Life and Depressive Feelings in College Students
This study explored the role of romantic relationships in mental health among college students who were in the stage of emerging adulthood. Specifically, we investigated five different dating categories: “in a relationship”, “breakup”, “singles, online dating”, “singles, offline dating”, and “singles, not dating” and their associations with depressive feelings. Moreover, the study examined how status satisfaction and family ties may influence the…
Study Protocol Medimig
Background: European society is becoming increasingly diverse due to high levels of migration. Persons with a migration background, especially those from non-western countries, may experience significant challenges when they seek medical care. Some of the main issues arise in the context of medical decision-making (MDM), where cultural preferences for close family involvement may be difficult to reconcile with the western model of medicine, as en…
Study Protocol
Background: While Belgium has traditionally been supportive of school-based sexuality education (SE), this seems to be changing. This shift is demonstrated by vocal protests and arson at six schools in the French-speaking part of Belgium following a law mandating 4 h of SE (September 2023), and by increased reports of parental objections during the recent Weeks of Spring Fever in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium (March 2024). This stu…
Single fathers at the workplace
In this article, we explore how single fathers in Belgium navigate the dual expectations of caregiving and breadwinning after a divorce or separation. We focus on how societal norms around fatherhood and work shape men’s ability to balance care responsibilities with employment demands. Through a two-step sampling design, we conducted qualitative interviews with 17 single fathers in our primary sample and 46 single fathers in an elaborative sample…
Understanding the role of medicalisation in mothers’ decision-making on daughters’ female genital cutting in Assiut, Egypt
In recent decades, female genital cutting (FGC) has become increasingly medicalised (with the practice being performed by health professionals) in Egypt. Whilst various national and international policies condemn medicalised FGC, the basis for these policies frequently rests on moral arguments and presumed outcomes rather than rigorously derived evidence. What remains largely unaddressed in debate on the shift towards medicalisation of FGC is an …
Medicine (14 works) · Psychology (12 works) · Sociology (12 works) · Political science (11 works) · Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Issues (10 works) · Female circumcision (8 works) · Gynecology (8 works) · Reproductive Health and Contraception (8 works) · Genital Health and Disease (7 works) · Law (7 works)