Dispelling the myths and beliefs toward female genital cutting of woman: assessing general outpatient services at a tertiary health institution in Enugu state,Nigeria (2010)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Ekwueme O, Ezegwui H,and Ezeoke U
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: To use accurate information to dispel the traditional myths and beliefs about FGM among woman
Study Population: Women visiting the General Outpatient Department of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital.
Findings: Pre-intervention,knowledge of the respondents on the true meaning of FGM was 54% and that of the 6 complications enlisted on average was 22.2%. Seventy (70.0%) believed that FCM is good and should be continued based mainly on culture and tradition (85.7%). Among the 29(29.0%) respondents against FGM,26(89.7%) and 24(82.8%) said it increased risk of HIV/AIDS and pregnancy complications respectively. Respondents displayed a high negative and stigmatizing attitude toward the uncircumcised women. Seventy-four (74.0%) said such women were promiscuous. Additionally,49% said they were shameful,14% cursed/outcast while 66% would not recommend them for marriage. Post-intervention,85% of the respondents understood full meaning of FGM and 71.3% on the average knew the complications. While only 11% supported FGM,83% were against the practice. The stigmatizing attitudes held against uncircumcised women decreased significantly from baseline to post-intervention as follows: promiscuous 74% to 22%,shameful 49% to 12%,outcast/cursed 14% to 2%,and not good for marriage from 66% to 19%. The differences in the baseline and post-intervention data on knowledge,beliefs and attitudes of the respondents toward FGM were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The educational intervention programme was proven to successfully impact knowledge,change beliefs and negative attitudes of women toward FGM
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Western Africa
Country(ies):Nigeria