Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Practices and Its Health Implications among Parents in Ugep Urban of Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was undertaken to find out whether or not the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) still prevails and whether parents who still subject their daughter to this obnoxious practice are conscious of the health consequences. A sample population of four hundred (400) male and female parents were used subjects for the study. These subjects were selected using stratified random sampling technique. A questionnaire developed by the researchers was used as instrument for data collection while the research design was survey. The research tool was validated by health education experts in the department of Human kinetics and health education, University of Calabar and the test – retest reliability was 0.86. The data collected was analysed using frequency count. The findings revealed that no type of FGM exists in Ugep and parents are not compelled by any reason to circumcise their daughters. Parents did not differ significantly in the awareness of the health implications of FGM. Among the recommendations proffered was that FGM prevention programme should reinforce the current campaign against FGM by placing emphasis and increasing awareness of the dangers of FGM.