Female circumcision in Nigeria: a fact or a farce?

Abstract

Female circumcision has disappeared from most of the world except black Africa where likely no fewer than 20 million women are affected by circumcision proper (removal of the clitoris prepuce) or the more serious excision infibulation and introcision. Circumcision proper is widely practised in Southern Nigeria but little is known about connected morbidity or mortality. This and extent of the practice were motives for a questionnaire survey carried out on 28 men and 453 women attending the antennatal clinic at Adeoyo Hospital. 333 women had been circumcised and 220 had their last female child circumcised. 22% hoped to circumcise their next female child. 66.9% of female respondents agreed 19% disagreed and 14.1% were undecided. Figures for the 15-34 year age group were 69.5% 18.8% and 11.7% and for the 35+ age group were 54.0% 19.7% and 26.3%. Educational status of women seemed to exert a positive influence on womens attitude and practice. 70.3% in favor were Moslems 29.7% Christian. Female circumcision was performed for 94.5% of women by native doctors 4.7% by midwives and 0.8% by traditional birth attendants and 0% by medical doctors; for males figures were 89.2% 6.8% 0.6% and 3.4% repsectively. Reasons given for circumcision were dampening of sexual desire easier childbirth hydrocephalus prevention and reduction of vaginal secretion. Reasons given against were that it is barbaric unnecessary disvirgining and suppressive of sexual pleasure. Possible poor reporting makes claims that native doctors circumcisions cause few complications. Among complications reported have been shock hemmorage serious infections severe urinary and intestinal disfunctions infertility and obstructed labor. Official eradication measures will need to attack beliefs that circumcision promotes morality and contributes to safe childbirth.