Knowledge and attitudes of female genital mutilation among midwives in Eastern Sudan (2012)

This study is a Explanatory research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Ali Abdel Aziem A FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: Sexual. Objective: To assess knowledge and attitudes of the midwives towards FGM in Eastern Sudan Study Population: Midwives Findings: There was low level of awareness of types of FGM practice since only 7% (11/157) identified the four types correctly. 53.5% (84/157) identified type 1 correctly while 18.5% (29/157),17.8% (28/157) and 15.9% (25/157) identified type 2,3 and 4 as correct respectively. While 30 (19.1%) of the midwives claimed that all types of FGM are harmful,76.4% (120/157) were of the opinion that some forms are not harmful and 7 (4.5%) reported that all types of FGM are not harmful. Likewise while 74.5% (117/157) of the interviewed midwives mentioned that the FGM is a legal practice only 25.5% (40/117) were of the opinion that FGM is illegal practice. The vast majority of the respondents (64.3%,101/157) have an opinion that FGM decreases the sexual pleasure. More than half (53.5%,84/157) of the participants affirmed that FGM does not increase the risk of HIV transmission. High proportion of the respondents (71.3%,112/157) did not know whether or not infertility could complicate FGM. Thus a substantial effort should be made to discourage the continuation of FGM practice among midwives in Sudan. This might be achieved by improving knowledge and awareness among the midwives and the community Geographical coverage Region(s):Northern Africa Country(ies):Sudan Source

September 8, 2023

Knowledge and attitudes of Sudanese youth towards female genital mutilation/female circumcision (FGM/FC) Case study: College of Technological Sciences (Tigana). (2004)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Abdel Magied A; Makki AE FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: To Investigate the Knowledge and attitudes of university female and male students towards FGM Study Population: female and male students Findings: Despite the high level of education and economic status of the families,73% of the female respondents were circumcised ; 52% Pharaonic (Type II+ Type III) and 48% Ciltoridetomy. The female respondents were far more knowledgeable about the negative consequences of FGM. This is because,in the complete absence of reproductive health and sex education from the curricula of all educational levels in Sudan,the topic of FGM is more discussed among women since they are the primary and direct victims of the practice. Moreover,female respondents were found less inhibited than the male respondents in discussing matters connected with sexuality with the future husband. Culture and traditions were admitted by the majority of female (86%) and male (73%) respondents as the focal reason for FGM practice. Nonetheless,a negative attitude has been shown by female (21%) and male (42%) respondents,who intend to circumcise their future daughters. Paradoxically 56% of the male respondents prefer uncircumcised wives. Consequently,it seems relevant to recognize the strong role of the Culture Inhibition Syndrome (CIS) that resist the positive change of attitudes towards FGM practice. Geographical coverage Region(s):Northern Africa Country(ies):Sudan Source

Knowledge and perceptions of complications associated with female genital mutilation/Cutting among Somali community (2018)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Hussein,S. I FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: The overall objective of the study was to assess the knowledge and perceptions of complications associated with FGM/C among Somali community in Wajir County in Kenya Study Population: Somali community aged 18 years and above Findings: Age,gender,level of education,occupation,and the type of the settlement area are significant socio-demographic factors that influence awareness and views of FGM. Women (mothers and grandmothers) who have undergone FGM/C continue to advocate for it at the forefront. Men who are household decision-makers supported FGM/C. Men and women had enough knowledge of the difficulties associated with FGM/C. (85.4 percent ). This information is significantly more prevalent among women than men. In addition,women were more aware than men of the difficulties that can arise during and after FGM/C. Young adults are eager and able to have their daughters undergo the procedure,but type 2 is preferred. Culture and religion play a larger role in molding the community’s attitude of FGM/C,however the impact of religion remains debatable. Religion (Islam) is frequently cited as advocating for a conduct that has no basis in the Quran,prophetic utterance,academic opinion,or logical deduction. The tradition endures in part because it is believed that suppressing a girl’s sexual impulses until marriage will preserve her sexual purity. 72.1 percent of the community members are unaware of any local interventions or campaigns against FGM/C. Local and international NGOs,CBOs,and human rights organisations in the county should conduct campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of FGM/C among young Somali girls. This should primarily target future parents,including older women,moms,fathers,young girls,and young boys. Local radio stations,sermons in the mosques,school programs,and during Maternal and Neonatal and Child health clinics (MNCH) in local health facilities; male participation in campaigns against FGM/C are crucial means of achieving this. Finally,involvement of religious leaders such as sheikhs and Imams to help as knowledge,attitude and practice change agents within the community should be prioritized. Geographical coverage Region(s):Eastern Africa Country(ies):Kenya Source

Knowledge and perspectives of female genital cutting among the local religious leaders in Erbil governorate,Iraqi Kurdistan region (2018)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding I FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Ahmed,H. M.,Kareem,M. S.,Shabila,N. P & Mzori,B. Q. FGM/C Type(s): I Health area of focus: None. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and perspectives of the local religious leaders in Erbil governorate,Iraqi Kurdistan Region about different aspects of FGC Study Population: Religious leaders Findings: Participants stated that FGC is effective for diminishing or managing women’s sexual desire in order to prevent adultery,premarital and extramarital sexual activity,and to improve women’s hygiene. They indicated that FGC poses no harm if there is no excessive cutting. The majority of respondents ascribed FGC to religion,while others viewed it as a religion-infused practice. People rarely seek the opinion of religious authorities regarding female genital cutting,but they routinely complain about the practice’s ramifications. Participants did not favor a law prohibiting FGC for one of two reasons: either they believed it would be against the religious advise on FGC or they believed it would be ineffective. The local religious leaders lack adequate awareness regarding several elements of FGC,especially the health repercussions. Regarding the grounds for FGC,there are conflicting and divergent opinions,and there is little support for a law prohibiting the practice. Improving the local religious leaders’ understanding of FGC and its negative impacts on women’s health is an absolute necessity. Geographical coverage Region(s):Western Asia Country(ies):Iraq Source

Knowledge and practice of female circumcision among women of reproductive ages in South West Nigeria (2012)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Adeyemo Adeyinka,Omisore Adedotun,Oladipupo Asabi FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: To examine the knowledge and practice of female circumcision among potential women of reproductive ages in south west Nigeria. Four hypotheses were formulated based on the variables of place of residence,level of awareness,level of educational and religion. Specific objective of the study were to: · examine those who perform female genital cuttings in south west Nigeria. · investigate the relationship between socio-demographic variables and the practices of female genital cuttings. In order to achieve the stated objectives,the following research questions were answered at 0.05 level of significant. · Who performed female genital cuttings in south west Nigeria? · What is the extent of knowledge of women of reproductive ages towards the practice of female genital cuttings in south west Nigeria? · How does the socio-demographic variables influence the practices of female genital cuttings among women of reproductive ages in south west Nigeria? Study Population: Women Findings: The results revealed that traditional circumciser had the highest prevalence which means that they were the one that circumcised the majority of the respondents who had undergone female circumcision. Also,revealed that the four independent variables that is,place of residence,level of awareness,level of educational and religion,had a significant relationship with the practice of female genital cuttings among women of reproductive ages in south west,Nigeria. Most of the interviewee during the Key Informant Interview disclosed that the practice is necessary and must be continued Geographical coverage Region(s):Western Africa Country(ies):Nigeria Source

Knowledge is made for cutting: genealogies of race and gender in female circumcision discourse (2010)

This study is a Exploratory research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Kaitlin E. Noss FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: Explore how this violence has persisted in neo/colonial eras as part of the white western feminist ‘care of self’ technique of displacing female abjection through the pleasure of whiteness,analyzes examples of current female circumcision discourse within U.S. feminist contexts and western-based anti-circumcision projects operating in Kenya. This analysis reveals that,despite recent critiques from postcolonial scholars and activists,this knowledge produced around female circumcision perpetuates discursive and material violence against Kenyan Maasai communitie Study Population: Not stated Findings: The idea of development as it emerges in this historical moment is inextricable from contemporary ideas of the body—from road infrastructure to education goals,the discourse and practices of international aid originating from multinational organizations and small NGOs alike predominantly center around western understandings of the proper care for and development of the human body as the primary unit of civilization itself. The specific genealogical exploration of female circumcision discourse that I have endeavored to outline is only one entry point into this paradigm. It is particularly provocative to explore this western preoccupation because it occurs just at the juncture of individual and societal regulation,wherein surveillance at the bodily level is bound to the control of populations at large. Excavating the historical forces that perpetuate this preoccupation among western feminists leads those of us still hopeful about feminist activism away from blaming individuals and toward a deeper awareness of how race,gender and neocolonialism operate to entrench global inequality—and toward understanding how this occurs at the level of our very self-identities. Thinking through this dynamic can be an incredibly sobering and encouraging undertaking—one that demands rigorous and focused historical and sociological explorations into the relationship between development and the body and the feminist potentials therein. I now turn toward the beginnings of that exploration in a brief look at how current trends in international development work in Kenya and Maasailand relate to the bio-necropolitical processes that operated during formal colonialism. Geographical coverage Region(s):Not specified Country(ies):Not specified Source

Knowledge of Female Genital Cutting among parents in South West Nigeria (2010)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Olukunmi Lanre OLAITAN FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: To find out the knowledge of FGC among parents in south west Nigeria. Study Population: Parents Findings: The study revealed that there is no significant difference in the knowledge of parents on FGC based on gender. The null hypotheses were not rejected,because the calculated value t=1.91 obtained,was less than the table value of 1.96 at 534 degrees of freedom at 5% level of significance. This shows respondents did not differ in their knowledge about FGC based on gender whereas,other null hypotheses were rejected,because there existed significant differences in the parents’ knowledge of FGC based on age and educational status with calculated F-values 7.62 and 7.62,while the table values were 2.08 and 2.12 respectively. Duncan Multiple Range Test was employed to determine the significant differences existed between and within the group of means where ANOVA was used Geographical coverage Region(s):Western Africa Country(ies):Nigeria Source

Knowledge of female genital cutting and experience with women who are circumcised: a survey of nurse-midwives in the United States (2010)

This study is a Exploratory research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Hess R, Weinland J, Saalinger N FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: To assess certified nurse-midwives’ (CNMs’) knowledge of FGM/C and to explore their experiences caring for African immigrant women with a history of genital cutting Study Population: Midwives  Findings: The study found that the respondents exhibited more correct medical knowledge about FGM/C than knowledge of cultural and legal issues. Almost 70% of respondents could identify infibulation. Less than 20% knew that both Muslim and Christian women are circumcised. Fifty-seven percent knew that it was illegal in the United States to circumcise women younger than 18 years of age. Discussions between CNMs and clients who were circumcised regarding FGC-related concerns and complications were minimal. Women with a history of FGM/C requested for female providers Geographical coverage Region(s):North America Country(ies):United States Source

Knowledge of female genital mutilation among healthcare professionals (2009)

This study is a Exploratory research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Zaidi N, Khalil A, Roberts C, Browne M FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: To assess levels of knowledge of FGM/C among relevant health professionals Study Population: Midwives,Obstetric Senior House Officers,Specialist Registrars,Consultants Findings: The study found that only 40% of the health professionals were familiar with the regulations in the FGM Act of 2003; 58% were unable to list the different categories of FGM; 47% incorrectly thought that caesarean section was the best way of managing FGM/C if vaginal examination was not possible in the first stage of labour and 54% chose anterior episiotomy as the treatment of choice during the second stage Geographical coverage Region(s):Northern Europe Country(ies):United Kingdom Source

Knowledge of health personnel about female genital mutilation (2008)

This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics: Author(s): Cambronero-Aguilar Ivanny,Campos-Cortés Carmen,Chavarría-Bolaños Roberto,Chavarría-Ulate David,Gamboa- Ramón Karla,Loría- Chavarría Gloriana,Flores- Sandí Grettchen FGM/C Type(s): All Health area of focus: None. Objective: To determine the knowledge of medical doctors and nurses regarding female genital mutilation,its possible medical consequences and its clinical management Study Population: Medical Doctors,Nurses Findings: The study found out that 81% knew about female genital mutilation,however 63% did not know about its obstetric complications and 97% said they did not know the deinfibulation method,60% of the medical doctors did not know how to manage a case of FGM/C Geographical coverage Region(s):Central America Country(ies):Costa Rica Source