Female Genital Mutilation: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Among Nurses

Overview

Journal J Natl Med Assoc

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2006 Apr 1

PMID 16573307

Citations 18

Authors

Sunday O Onuh

Gabriel O Igberase

Joaness O U Umeora

Sylvanus A Okogbenin

Valentine O Otoide

Etedafe P Gharoro

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) and cutting is a subject of global interest, with many countries of the world still practicing it despite efforts by the WHO and other agencies to discourage the practice. The highest known prevalence is in Africa.

Objectives: To determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of FGM among nurses in the ancient metropolis of Benin in a Nigerian state where FGM is illegal.

Results: One-hundred-ninety-three nurses in the study hospital were recruited in the study out of which 182 (94.3%) appropriately filled and returned the questionnaires. The average age of respondents was 37 years, and the average duration of postgraduation experience was 14.5 years. Most respondents are of Bini (36.8%) and Esan (34.1%) ethnic origin. All respondents identified at least one form of FGM, but only 12 respondents (6.6%) could correctly identify the four types of FGM. The harmful effects of FGM identified by the majority of respondents include hemorrhage, difficult labor/childbirth, genital tears, infections and scar/keloid formation. Forty-four (24.2%) of respondents were of the opinion that some forms of FGM are harmless. Eighty nurses admitted to having undergone FGM, for a prevalence of 44%. Five respondents (2.8%) view FGM as a good practice and will encourage the practice. Twelve respondents (6.6%) routinely perform FGM out of which seven (58.3%) viewed FGM as a bad practice. Nurses performing FGM routinely were those who had spent >20 years (59%) and 11-20 years (41%) in the profession. Another 26 (14.3%) had performed FGM before, though not on a routine basis. Of this latter group, 15 will perform FGM in the future when faced with certain circumstances. Reasons for FGM practice were mainly cultural. Eight of the respondents would have their daughters circumcised.

Conclusion: Nurses perceive FGM in Benin as cultural. Almost half have had FGM themselves, and a small percentage recommend it to their daughters. Discouraging FGM practice will require culturally sensitive education of the healthcare providers and the population at large on the ill effects of FGM, including the risk to health and violations of human rights.

Citing Articles

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of female health care service providers on female genital mutilation in Somalia: A cross-sectional study.

Mehriban N, Zafar Ullah A, Haque M, Harun M, Isse D, Muhammad F Womens Health (Lond). 2023; 19:17455057231199032.

PMID: 37732458 PMC: 10515518. DOI: 10.1177/17455057231199032.

Legal Awareness and Practices of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) among United Arab Emirates Medical Practitioners.

Al Awar S, Zareba K, Sayed Sallam G, Osman N, Ucenic T, Khair H Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023; 20(6).

PMID: 36981617 PMC: 10049077. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064710.

Attitudes toward Female Genital Mutilation/Circumcision: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Jahangiry L, Pashaei T, Ponnet K Healthcare (Basel). 2021; 9(9).

PMID: 34574958 PMC: 8466725. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9091184.

Towards characterization of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in rural Nigeria.

Odo A, Dibia S, Nwagu E, Umoke M, Umoke P Afr Health Sci. 2021; 20(4):1968-1978.

PMID: 34394263 PMC: 8351817. DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v20i4.55.

Attitudes of health care providers regarding female genital mutilation and its medicalization in Guinea.

Balde M, ONeill S, Sall A, Balde M, Soumah A, Diallo B PLoS One. 2021; 16(5):e0249998.

PMID: 33983949 PMC: 8118326. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249998.

References

Agugua N, Egwuatu V . Female circumcision: management of urinary complications. J Trop Pediatr. 1982; 28(5):248-52. DOI: 10.1093/tropej/28.5.248. View

Harrison K . Obstetric fistula: one social calamity too many. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1983; 90(5):385-6. DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1983.tb08932.x. View

Iregbulem L . Post-circumcision vulval adhesions in Nigerians. Br J Plast Surg. 1980; 33(1):83-6. DOI: 10.1016/0007-1226(80)90061-2. View

Okonofu F, Larsen U, Oronsaye F, Snow R, Slanger T . The association between female genital cutting and correlates of sexual and gynaecological morbidity in Edo State, Nigeria. BJOG. 2002; 109(10):1089-96. DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2002.01550.x. View

Caldwell J, Phillips J, Barkat-e-Khuda . The future of family planning programs. Stud Fam Plann. 2002; 33(1):1-10. DOI: 10.1111/j.1728-4465.2002.00001.x. View

Ragheb S, Smith E, Mekhemer S . Study of knowledge and attitudes of nurses in Alexandria towards female circumcision. Bull High Inst Public Health. 1978; 8(1):293-306. View

Ezeh P . Nigeria: female circumcision row. New Afr. 1990; (269):28. View

Snow R . Female genital cutting: distinguishing the rights from the health agenda. Trop Med Int Health. 2001; 6(2):89-91. DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3156.2001.00692.x. View

Jones H, Diop N, Askew I, Kabore I . Female genital cutting practices in Burkina Faso and Mali and their negative health outcomes. Stud Fam Plann. 1999; 30(3):219-30. DOI: 10.1111/j.1728-4465.1999.00219.x. View

10.

Behrendt A, Moritz S . Posttraumatic stress disorder and memory problems after female genital mutilation. Am J Psychiatry. 2005; 162(5):1000-2. DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.162.5.1000. View

11.

Berggren V, Abdel Salam G, Bergstrom S, Johansson E, Edberg A . An explorative study of Sudanese midwives' motives, perceptions and experiences of re-infibulation after birth. Midwifery. 2004; 20(4):299-311. DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2004.05.001. View

12.

Caldwell J, Orubuloye I, Caldwell P . Male and female circumcision in Africa from a regional to a specific Nigerian examination. Soc Sci Med. 1997; 44(8):1181-93. DOI: 10.1016/s0277-9536(96)00253-5. View

13.

TOUBIA N . Female circumcision as a public health issue. N Engl J Med. 1994; 331(11):712-6. DOI: 10.1056/NEJM199409153311106. View

14.

TOUBIA N . Female genital mutilation and the responsibility of reproductive health professionals. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 1994; 46(2):127-35. DOI: 10.1016/0020-7292(94)90227-5. View

15.

Odoi A, Brody S, Elkins T . Female genital mutilation in rural Ghana, west Africa. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 1997; 56(2):179-80. DOI: 10.1016/s0020-7292(96)02800-7. View

16.

De Silva S . Obstetric sequelae of female circumcision. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 1989; 32(3):233-40. DOI: 10.1016/0028-2243(89)90041-5. View

17.

Berardi J, Teillet J, Godard J, Laloux V, Allane P, Franjou M . [Obstetrical consequences of female circumcision. Study in 71 circumcised African women]. J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris). 1985; 14(6):743-6. View

18.

Tahzib F . Vesicovaginal fistula in Nigerian children. Lancet. 1985; 2(8467):1291-3. DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(85)91567-3. View

19.

Myers R, Omorodion F, Isenalumhe A, Akenzua G . Circumcision: its nature and practice among some ethnic groups in southern Nigeria. Soc Sci Med. 1985; 21(5):581-8. DOI: 10.1016/0277-9536(85)90043-7. View

20.

Duvie S . Implantation dermoid of the clitoris. J R Coll Surg Edinb. 1980; 25(4):276-8. View