Assessing the Knowledge and Intention towards the Continuation of FGM Practice among Young Girls in South West Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria is the third largest country with women and girls who have undergone FGM in the world with 21.6 million of them genitally mutilated. Some studies have revealed that despite the increased sensitization on the dangers of FGM, several women are still willing to continue the practice of FGM. However, there are few or no studies that assessed the intention to continue FGM practice among young girls who are future mothers and will be responsible for making important decisions for their children. This study, therefore, focused on assessing the knowledge and intention towards the continuation of FGM practice among young girls in South-West Nigeria. This study was a qualitative study conducted among young females aged 18 - 24 years in Osun, Oyo and Ekiti state. Purposive sampling technique was used to select participants who were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and cleaned for typographical and grammatical errors. The transcripts were coded both inductively and deductively and thematic analysis was done on the coded transcripts. In this study, few of the participants agreed that FGM can lead to complications. Some of the complications stated were bleeding, painful urination, the transmission of infections, HIV, pain during menstruation, death and sexual displeasure. Majority of the study participants were not aware of any available law and policies that protect women and girls from FGM. Almost half of the young girls had the intention to continue FGM practice. This study revealed that young girls have low knowledge of FGM and laws and policies against the practice. Some of the girls have intention to continue the practice of FGM despite the efforts of stakeholders across communities to raise awareness on the dangers of FGM and the need for its abandonment. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing interventions that focus on educating young girls through school campaigns, peer teachings, and community discussions to enhance girls’ understanding of FGM and available laws and change their intention to continue FGM practice.