Beliefs and Prevalence of Female Genital Circumcision among Pregnant Women Attending Ante-natal Clinic in a Mission Hospital in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria | Chapter 05 | Current Trends in Medicine and Medical Research Vol. 2
Introduction:
Every community the world over has specific lifestyle practices that reflect
the values and beliefs held by members
of such communities for generations. Female genital cutting (FGC) or
circumcision is one of the age-long cultural practices in many African countries
including Nigeria. Female genital cutting is harmful to women’s physical and
emotional health throughout their lives and has no known health benefits.
Common beliefs among adherents in surveys for practicing FGC include social
acceptance, religion, hygiene, preservation of virginity, marriageability and
enhancement of male sexual pleasures.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to assess the beliefs of pregnant women
attending the ante-natal clinic of a mission hospital in Uyo, about female
genital cutting.
Methods:
This was a prospective descriptive cross-sectional study conducted between
August and October 2015. Using systematic sampling techniques, 364 newly
registered pregnant women who enlisted for care during the study period were
recruited. Using strict aseptic technique, vaginal examination was done for
each respondent to determine the types of female genital cutting based on World
Health Organization (WHO) classification.
Results:
The mean age of respondents in this study was 28.3±4.3 years. The prevalence of
female genital cutting among respondents in this study was 22.5%. FGC was more
prevalent among respondents who were older (p<0.001); Attained higher level
of education (p<0.001); and among those in the low income group (p<0.001).
Removal of the labia minora (Type 2a) was the dominant type of FGC among
respondents accounting for 64.4%; This was followed by type 1a (removal of the
clitoral hood or prepuce) 18.3%; Type 1b (removal of the clitoris with the
prepuce) was present in 15.9% respondents while type 3a (removal and apposition
of the labia minora) was present in 1.2% of the respondents.
Among
the respondents, FGC was believed to reduce sexual desire of the victims (p =
0.009; prevents promiscuity (p = .003); While others belief that it improves
hygiene (p = 0.018).
Conclusion:
Findings from this study have shown that the practice of FGC is complex. The
increasing prevalence among those who are older might mean that practice of FGC
is reducing among the younger generation. Education and empowerment of women
are most needed now along with enforcement of laws aimed at eradicating the
practice. The commonly held beliefs for persistence of the practice are
tradition, prevention of sexual promiscuity as well as improvement in hygiene
of the victims. FGC is a clear violation of the fundamental rights of women.
Efforts to eradicate it must be stepped up through health education by the mass
media and at ante-natal, post natal and family planning clinics. Such education
should include information that clearly stresses the harmful effects of the
practice. Misconception, taboos as well as false beliefs associated with FGC
must be unequivocally dispelled. Women must be adequately empowered through
education and economically as well to defend their rights whenever attempts are
made to violate them.
Biography of author(s)
Dr. Alphonsus Idung
Alphonsus
Udo Idung is a consultant Family Physician and Lecturer in the Faculty of
Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
Born on 24th April, 1963, He was educated at University of Port Harcourt in
Nigeria where he obtained a Bachelor of Medical Science degree in Human
Physiology (B. Med Sc, Physiol) in 1983 and Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of
Surgery (MBBS) in 1990. He worked as an interim in St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua in
Uyo, and later at the University of Uyo Medical Centre, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State,
Nigeria between 1991 and 2004.
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