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Abstract
Female genital mutilation (FGM), the term currently used by the World Health Organization (WHO), comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for culture or other non-therapeutic reasons.
Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female genital cutting (FGC) and female circumcision (FC), is a deeply rooted culture practices but also a form of violence against girls, which affects their lives as adult women.
FGM/C comprises a wide range of procedures. The excision of the prepuce; the partial or total excision of the clitoris (clitoridectomy) and libia; or the stitching and narrowing of the vaginal orifice (infibulation).
The number of girls and women who have been subjected to FGM/C is estimated at around 137 million worlds wide and two million girls per year are considered at risk. It is practiced in 28 countries in Africa, mainly in north east Africa and in a belt reaching from East to West north of equator. The practice is also seen in the Middle East (parts of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen) and in other countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia. Also among migrants in Europe, Australia and North America.
In Egypt, the practice of FGM/C is almost universal. It is prevalent among most social, ethnic, religious, as well as age groups. According to Egypt Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS)-2005, 96% of ever married women in reproductive age 15-49 years in Egypt have been circumcised.
Main reasons for performing the practice are conforming to tradition, reducing the girl’s sexual desire, protecting virginity, religious rational and contributing to the girls’ cleanliness/hygiene.
The complications of FGM/C may occur immediately or shortly after the practice is performed, while others may occur years after event. Furthermore; the physical, psychosexual and psychological complications of FGM are sizeable and constitute in some countries a serious public health problem which endangers the life and health of women and children.
Change over time in attitude, beliefs and practices among Egyptian women must be investigated at certain intervals. Also, concerning sexuality, most of the existing studies suffer from shortcomings and difficulties of research on sexuality consequences of FGM/C in Egypt. There is no available data about this practice in Damanhour city, Behera Governorate.
The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, perceptions and practices of mothers attending the family planning clinics affiliated to MCH centers towards FGM/C, in Damanhour city, Behira Governorate.