Knowledge and Practices Regarding Female Genital Mutilation among Residents of a Rural community in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the knowledge and practices regarding female genital mutilation among residents of a rural community in Edo State, Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The study population included adults residing in the rural community out of which a sample of 196 was selected using the stratified proportionate sampling technique with only 189 valid for the study. The instrument for data collection was a validated questionnaire structured on the yes/no scale with a reliability index of 0.80. Data collection was done using the direct delivery and retrieval method which allowed for high return rate of the instrument. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics of frequency count and percentages. Results revealed that the entire 189(100%) respondents studied have heard of female genital mutilation. 18(9.5%) got the information from the mass media, 106(56.1%) from town’s meeting, 34(18.0%) from social gatherings while 31(16.4%) got their information from other sources. The study findings also showed that the types of female genital mutilation practiced in the rural community include removal of the clitoral hood, 41.3%, partial or total removal of the clitoris and inner labia, with or without removal of the outer labia, 46.0%, removal of all external genitalia and the fusion of the wound, 37.0%, nicking of the clitoris, 12.0%, burning or scarring the genitals, 9.5%, introducing substances into the vagina to tighten it, 18.0%. Results also revealed that the reasons for the practice of female genital mutilation among residents of a rural community include culture, 65.1%, the need to discourage promiscuity, 62.4%, for cosmetics, 69%, the need to reduce sexual urge, 72%, the belief that circumcised women do not experience reproductive health problems, 75.1% and the perception that circumcision of females is a way of initiating them into womanhood. The study concluded that though the respondents were knowledgeable about female genital mutilation and the negative consequences, the practice is still high in rural communities. Based on the study findings, it was recommended that public healthcare practitioners should organize health campaigns aimed at discouraging the practice of female genital mutilation in communities.