A cross cultural study of vaginal practices and sexuality: Implications for sexual health (2010)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Adriane Martin Hilber,Terence H. Hull,Eleanor Preston-Whyte,Brigitte Bagnol,Jenni Smit,Chintana Wacharasin,Ninuk Widyantoro
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: Gynaecological.
Objective: To identify and document vaginal practices in four countries (Indonesia,Thailand,Mozambique and South Africa),to seek an understanding of their motivations and to explore the role they play in women’s health,sexuality and sense of wellbeing. The study also sought women’s report of adverse effects associated with specific practices and products
Study Population: Women and men who were identified as using,having knowledge or being involved in trade in products
Findings: This study documented a diversity of vaginal practices and their high prevalence in the general population,particularly in the Tete,Mozambique,and KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa. In the qualitative study,motivation for vaginal practices were mostly driven by the desire for maintaining health and wellness,and enhancing sexual pleasure,although the expression and extent of these motives varied considerably between sites. For anatomical modification: ‘‘Cutting’’ and ‘‘pulling’’ procedures used for modifying the vagina,or restoration of the hymen,practices included female genital mutilation,incision with insertion of substance into the lesion (scarification process,tattoos of the vulva or labia). Anatomical modification was uncommon,except in Tete,where 25% of women had undergone some kind of cutting in the vaginal area. There were different kinds of genital cuttings: incisions,excisions and scarifications. Tete women’s motivations concerned treatment of an infection or symptom,or enhancement of male pleasure and commitment. The latter rationale was also cited by most of the 3% of KwaZulu-Natal women who reported this practice. Labial elongation was reported by almost all Tete women,but was not practiced elsewhere. It was mostly framed as a practice essential for maintaining feminine identity (72%) and occurred from early adolescence onwards (mean onset of practice 11 years; sd=2.2). Women considered it important for male sexual pleasure (35%),maintaining partner commitment (37.6%). and sexual pleasure for women
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Eastern Africa,Southern Africa,Southeastern Asia
Country(ies):Indonesia,Thailand,Mozambique,South Africa