Beliefs and Prevalence of Female Genital Circumcision among Pregnant Women Attending Ante-natal Clinic in a Mission Hospital in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Journal Title: Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research - Year 2017, Vol 19, Issue 7
Abstract
Introduction: Female genital cutting (FGC) or circumcision is one of the age-long cultural practices in many African countries including Nigeria. 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.
Authors and Affiliations
Alphonsus Udo Idung, Ita Bassey Okokon
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP311246
- DOI 10.9734/BJMMR/2017/30645
- Views 53
- Downloads 0
The WHO FRAX Calculator with and without BMD as an Indicator of Low BMD in Pakistani Women
Aims: BMD (bone mineral density) testing facilities are still scarce in Pakistan. We evaluated the predictive ability of FRAX with BMD (FRAX+) and FRAX without BMD (FRAX-) in a set of Pakistani females to assess their ro...
Unexpected Discontinuation of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy within 14 Days after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Single-center Case Series
Objectives: To provide a descriptive case-series of patients who unexpectedly discontinued dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) within 14 days after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (group A), and those who had taken...
Blood Profil of Dogs Experimentally Infected with Single Trypanosoma brucei, Ancylostoma caninum and Conjunct Trypanosoma brucei and Ancylostoma caninum and Treatment with Diminazene Aceturate and Mebendazole
The present study was designed to ascertain the level of haematological alterations in single Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei), Ancylostoma caninum (A. caninum) and conjunct infections of both parasites in dogs and effect...
Micronutrient Consequences of Long Term Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are currently the mainstay of treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcer disease and dyspepsia. In this area, they have enjoyed remarkable success and there are many patie...
Evaluation of Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Idiopathic Parafoveal Telangiectasia Type 2
Background and Objectıves: To evaluate changes in eyes with idiopathic parafoveal telangiectasia type 2 (IPFT) using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Materıals and Methods: SD-OCT images of cases...