Female genital cutting in Malaysia: a mixed-methods stud (2019)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Rashid,A.,& Iguchi,Y.
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: This study aimed to understand the reasons for the practice by the Muslim community,traditional practitioners and the views of religious scholars as well as the medicalisation trend of the practice of female genital cutting (FGC)
Study Population: women 18 years and older in the rural areas of Kedah and Penang
Findings: Quantitative: There were 605 participants,most had undergone FGC (99.3%),were in the opinion FGC is compulsory in Islam (87.6%) and wanted FGC to continue (99.3%). Older respondents had FGC conducted by traditional midwives (X2=59.13,p<0.001) and younger age groups preferred medical doctors (X2=32.96,p<0.001) and would permit doctors (X2=29.17,p<0.001) to conduct FGC on their children. These findings suggest a medicalisation trend. Regression analysis showed the odds of FGC conducted by traditional midwives and nurses and trained midwives compared with medical doctors was 1.07 (1.05; 1.09) and 1.04 (1.01; 1.06),respectively. For every 1-year decrease in age,the odds of participants deciding medical doctors should perform FGC as compared with traditional midwives increase by 1.61. Qualitative: Focus group discussions showed most believed that FGC is compulsory in Islam but most traditional practitioners and the Mufti’s stated that FGC is not compulsory in Islam
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Southeastern Asia
Country(ies):Malaysia