Peer-reviewed article
Knowledge, Attitudes and Perception of the Public on Female Genital Mutilation
·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study surveyed 150 residents of Benin City, Nigeria about their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding female genital mutilation (FGM). Most respondents (74.5%) were poorly informed about FGM in line with global health standards, though 36.3% had adequate knowledge of the practice. The study found that more educated respondents were more likely to oppose FGM, suggesting that education campaigns could help reduce the practice.
Key points
- 74.5% of respondents were ill-informed about FGM and global best practices
- 36.3% of respondents showed adequate knowledge of FGM
- Educated respondents strongly opposed FGM more than less-educated respondents
- Educational health campaigns are recommended as a tool to combat FGM
- Differences in beliefs and practices were observed across gender, age and religious lines
Limitations
This is a descriptive cross-sectional study with no comparison groups or follow-up, so it cannot determine causation or the effectiveness of any intervention. The study only covers one local government area in Nigeria and may not represent broader patterns in the country or region.
Abstract
Despite global concerns, awareness, and campaigns against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), prevalence remains high in most countries of the globe, especially Africa. Current study investigated the knowledge, attitude and public perception on FGM of Bini indigenes who reside in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Southern Nigeria. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) participants were ethically recruited from Benin City, Nigeria. An open ended questionnaire of about the same number (n = 150) was carefully structured, validated and distributed to participants in order to ascertain their level of awareness and understanding of the socio-cultural implications of FGM. An oral interview was also conducted on participants to determine the effect of their level of education on possible promulgation of FGM within the study area. Sociodemographic data of respondents were also collected and comparisons made across gender, age and religious lines on beliefs and practices of FGM. Sections of the questionnaire were subjected to statistical analysis after data collection, results expressed in simple percentages. After careful observation, study found that about 74.5% of the respondents were ill-informed on the cultural norms and principles of FGM in line with global best practices of the World Health Organizations (WHO). However, not fewer than 36.3% of the respondents show adequate knowledge on the concept of FGM. Study also observed that a great percentage of educated respondents strongly opposed to the idea of FGM. This implies that educational health campaigns against FGM could be useful in combating the hazardous implications of FGM on the socio-cultural well-being of the female child. Continuous education geared towards global best practices in study area is highly recommended.