TITLE:
Culture, Beliefs, Attitude and Peer Group Influence on Female Genital Mutilation in Southeast Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Matthew Igwe Nwali, Joseph Agboeze
KEYWORDS:
Female Genital Mutilation, Culture, Beliefs, Attitude, Peer Group Influence
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.13 No.8,
August
15,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: Female Genital Mutilation is still practiced in Ebonyi State in
Southeast Nigeria, despite the complications that follows it and government
legislation against the practice. Aim: To determine the impact of
Culture, Beliefs, attitude and Peer Group Influence on the persistence Female
Genital Mutilation practice in the State especially in the rural areas. Materials
and Methods: Qualitative study that used Focused Group Discussion and
In-depth interviews for data collection. Those willing and given consent
were recruited into the group discussion according to age, marital status,
educational level and their location in the state. In-depth interviews were
used with the Stake Holders, Opinion Leaders, Traditional Rulers and the Clergy. Result: A total of 454 participants were recruited from the 13 local
government areas of Ebonyi State but only 420 (92.5%) participated. The age
ranges of participants were 25 to 35 years for single males and females while
the married participants male and female were aged 35 to 70 years. One hundred
single females (23.8%) and 94 single males (21.4%) participated while 97
(23.1%) married women and 95 (22.6%) married men participated. Out of the 26
health workers recruited only 22 (5.2%) participated. Four traditional rulers,
4 women leaders, 4 youth leaders and 2 clergy 12 (2.9%) in number had in-depth
interviews. All the participants had knowledge of FGM and its practice. Rural
health workers are getting more involved. ‘Female Genital Crushing’ is
replacing actual cutting. The participants all agreed there is no benefit and
the practice should stop. Conclusion: Female Genital Mutilation is
secretly practiced and is getting replaced by “Female
Genital Crushing” perpetrated by rural health workers as well as mothers,
fathers, traditional birth attendants and the peer group playing a major role
with low knowledge of the Law against Female genital mutilation.