Knowledge,attitudes and practices of female genital mutilation among health care workers in Somali region of Ethiopia (2021)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Oladeji O et al
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: The study assessed the knowledge,attitude,and practice of health care workers on FGM practices in the region.
Study Population: The study was conducted in Somali region of Ethiopia among health care workers in the health facilities in the region. There were 9 hospitals,208 health centers and 1240 health post in the region with various categories of health workers including
Findings: 36 (17.8%) of the health workers believed FGM was a mandatory religious practice,while 158 (78.2%) regarded it as a cultural practice. All the respondents knew it caused health problems,32 (15.8%) believed it was a good practice though 176 (87.1%) of the respondents believed it violated human rights of the girls/women and 99 (49%) wanted the practice to continue. 15 (40.5%) had conducted FGM on a girl before,5 (13.5%) claimed medicalization made FGM practice safer and 5 (13.5%) of the respondents intended to circumcise their daughters in future. Conclusions: Health care workers still have attitudes and practices that positively promote and could encourage FGM practices in spite of their knowledge of the health consequences and their acceptance as a violation of the rights of women and girls. This attitude has high tendencies of depriving the community members of access to accurate information that will enable them to make informed decision about FGM and efforts to eradicate the practice.
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Eastern Africa
Country(ies):Ethiopia