Abstract
ObjectivesTo evaluate the frequency of female genital mutilation (FGM) among Sudanese women in comparison to other African countries. To review the immediate and the late complications of FGM. To suggest possible ways of its prevention and eradication. Subjects and methodsThis is a retrospective cross sectional study involving two groups of Sudanese women. The first group which comprises 1200 women was university students and this group represents nearly all parts of the Sudan as University students come from different ethnic and cultural groups. The second group which included 800 women was selected as a sample of women coming to the outpatient Urology clinic of Soba University Hospital in Khartoum, which is a tertiary referral hospital, seeking medical advice for different urological problems. All the two groups signed consent to be part of this study. All patients in group A were given a written questionnaire including all the information's about their experience with FGM to answer. ResultsOut of the 2000 women who were included in this study, 1468 were victims of FGM. Their ages ranged between 20 and 62 with a mean age of 46 years. The FGM was performed below the age of six year in 1423 (96.9%). It was performed by a midwife at home set up in 1416 (94.5%). There were 267 immediate complications and 618 late complications. The most serious complications were bleeding, sepsis and vesico-vaginal fistula. Other complications are discussed.
Highlights
Female genital mutilation (FGM), known as female genital cutting and female circumcision is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons [1]”
The WHO classified FGM into four types according to the extent of the injury: type I includes removal of the Clitoral hood, type II, includes removal of the Clitoris and inner labia, type III is removal of all or part of the inner and outer labia and usually the clitoris and fusion of the wound leaving a small hole for the passage of urine and menstrual blood
Most of the FGM 96.9% was carried under the age of six years
Summary
Female genital mutilation (FGM), known as female genital cutting and female circumcision is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons [1]”. According to the WHO, it is practiced in 28 countries in Western, Eastern, and North eastern Africa, in parts of the Middle East and within some immigrant communities in Europe, North America and Austrasia [2]. The WHO classified FGM into four types according to the extent of the injury: type I includes removal of the Clitoral hood, type II, includes removal of the Clitoris and inner labia, type III is removal of all or part of the inner and outer labia and usually the clitoris and fusion of the wound leaving a small hole for the passage of urine and menstrual blood. Type III is the most common procedure in several countries including Sudan, Somalia and Djibouti [5]. There are many cultural and political aspects to the practices continuation that makes opposition to it a complex issue [6]
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