An Overview of the Knowledge and the Practice of Female Genital Mutilation Among Adult Women in Ondo State, South Western Nigeria

Abstract

The practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) is one of the very significant health and human right issues in the world according to UNICEF. A qualitative research methodological and in-depth interview of one hundred and twenty informants were used to investigate FGM’s knowledge and practice in Ondo state, southwestern Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the participants from the study population. The findings of the study revealed that the majority of the residents are aware of FGM as it is being widely practiced by traditional birth attendants, an health officials. The study also confirmed that the majority of the respondents are of the opinions that FGM reduces promiscuity, initiates young girls into womanhood; ensures spiritual cleansing; enhances fertility and prevents instant mortality while the majority have inadequate knowledge about the untoward health consequences of the practice. The study concluded that there is high rate of prevalence and poor understanding of the harmful effects of FGM. It is therefore recommended that certain collaborative measures which include aggressive enlightenment programmes. Among the communities, enactment of laws as punitive measures for the practitioners of government policy re-engineering and early education of girl’s children on FGM among others have to be implemented to eliminate the scourge in society.