Peer-reviewed article
Community Awareness and Prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation in Ikungi District, Tanzania
Zacharia Samwel Masanyiwa, Bahati Nyamwesa, Benedicta P. Kimbe, Sarah F. Mamboya ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined community awareness and the prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Ikungi District, Tanzania. Researchers surveyed 150 adolescent girls and 150 adults including parents, teachers, and community leaders. Despite high community awareness (98%), FGM was still being practiced secretly in the area, with an estimated prevalence of 12% among young girls. The study found that FGM was motivated by spiritual, sociological and hygienic beliefs rather than religious requirements.
Key points
- Community awareness of FGM was high at 98% among both adults and school girls
- FGM was still being practiced secretly, particularly on younger girls
- Estimated prevalence of FGM among young girls was 12%, potentially higher in remote villages
- Reported reasons for FGM practice included spiritual, sociological, and hygienic beliefs
- FGM was not identified as a religious requirement by respondents
Limitations
The study is descriptive and does not evaluate an intervention to stop FGM or measure changes in practice over time. The 12% prevalence estimate relies on self-reported data and may underestimate actual prevalence given the secret nature of the practice.
Abstract
Female genital mutilation is a deeply rooted tradition in many countries, including in some Tanzanian communities despite the various advocacy and legal interventions to stop it. This study examines community awareness and prevalence of female genital mutilation in selected villages of Ikungi District using the behavioural change perspective. The specific objectives of the study were 1) to analyse the levels of awareness on the existence of FGM, and 2) to examine prevalence of FGM in the study area. Data were collected from 150 adolescent school girls and 150 parents/caregivers school teachers, local government officials, traditional birth attendants and religious leaders using questionnaire survey, semi-structured interviews and documentary review. Data analysis techniques included descriptive statistics, chi-square test, independent samples t-test and qualitative content analysis. The study findings revealed that community awareness on female genital mutilation was generally high (98%) among both adults and school girls. Female genital mutilation was still being practiced secretly in the area (specifically on girl dodders), for spiritual, sociological and hygienic reasons. Prevalence rate of female genital mutilation among young girls was estimated at 12% although could be higher in more remote rural villages. It is recommended that the government and other actors should use the available community radio stations to disseminate information to change current cultural notions and practices favoring female genital mutilation in the district. The voice of religious leaders should also be enhanced and supported to strengthen peer group discussions at church and mosque levels because female genital mutilation was not reported to be a religious requirement.