The Pattern of Female Genital Mutilation in Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria
Journal Title: International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health - Year 2014, Vol 4, Issue 4
Abstract
Aims: Female genital mutilation is a harmful traditional practice which is an infringement on the sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls and has profound psychosocial as well as reproductive health morbidities. This study aimed at measuring the change in the incidence of the female genital mutilation in Port Harcourt, South-South Nigeria. Study Design: A cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of ObstetricGynaecology of the University Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) between 1st January and 31st January 2009. Methodology: Five hundred clients were selected randomly and agreed to participate in the study. They were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and examined clinically. Data management was with SPSS 15.0 for Windows statistical software. Results: The prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) was 34%. Four hundred and eighty one (96.2%) were aware of female circumcision generally. Ninety five (55.8%) of those circumcised, had it done in infancy. Thirty seven percent of the practitioners of female circumcision were traditional birth attendants while 14.7% were trained health professionals. The commonest reason for female circumcision included reduction of sexual passion/promiscuity and conformity with tradition. Type 1 female genital mutilation was the commonest (58.2%). Among those clients aged 50 years and above, 78.8% had FGM while 9.1% of those aged 10 – 19 years had FGM. This showed a downward trend. Conclusion: Female circumcision is a harmful traditional practice which has remained a serious health problem. Its prevalence is still high in our environment. This study suggests that it is on a downward trend.
Authors and Affiliations
Israel Jeremiah, Dango G. B. Kalio, Chris Akani
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP342845
- DOI 10.9734/IJTDH/2014/1683
- Views 87
- Downloads 0
The Epidemiology and Health Burden of Neurocysticercosis in Nepal
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a public health burden in Nepal. In patients burdened by this disease epileptic seizures are common. Computerized tomography scan (CT-scan) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques are...
Subtotal Thyroidectomy under Local Anesthesia in a Pregnant Woman Presenting with Giant Goiter: A Case Study
Thyroid surgery is performed by most surgeons in practice using general anesthesia. In resource poor developing nations with paucity of anesthetists, anesthetic drugs and equipment, it can be done under local anesthesia...
Parasitic Zoonoses from Dogs: How Common are they in Zambia
Zoonotic parasitic diseases including helminths and protozoa are common especially in areas with poor living conditions in developing countries. The poor living conditions combined with poor veterinary services and lack...
Association of Self-perception Lifestyle with Overweight / Obesity among People with a Family History of Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross Sectional Study
Aim: To analyze the association between self-perception of lifestyle and overweight / obesity among people with diabetic parents. Study Design: Cross-sectional, analytical study. Place and Duration of Study: It is a comm...
Sero-prevalence of Brucellosis in Cattle and Its Associated Risk Factors in North East India (Meghalaya)
Aim: A cross-sectional sero-prevalence study was conducted from July 2008 to December 2014 in Meghalaya (India) to determine prevalence of bovine brucellosis and also for assessing the risk factors associated with the di...