Prevalence and complications of female genital mutilation among patients at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City

Abstract

The high prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), also called female circumcision, continues to be worrisome; especially in view of its complications. It has very negative effects on the reproductive, physical and mental health of the victims. A questionnaire consisting of items from the Demographic and Health Survey and the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey was administered on 300 consecutive female patients attending the General Practice Clinic of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. Genital examination was also carried out on them. The prevalence of FGM was 64% while the prevalence was 39.7% for the children of the respondents. FGM was significantly associated with genital scar, keloid and cyst. Vagina discharge was also significantly commoner among those who were circumcised. Pain during sex and recurrent dysuria were commoner among the uncircumcised; sexual satisfaction was commoner among the circumcised; recurrent vulva abscess, dysmenorrhoea and difficulty getting pregnant were commoner among the circumcised; although these were not statistically significant. The reduced prevalence of FGM among the children of the respondents may be an evidence that the society is gradually doing away with FGM; but still high enough to warrant sustained efforts at its prevention.

Keywords: Prevalence, complication, female, genital, mutilation