The continuing challenge of female genital mutilation in Sudan

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of female genital mutilation (FGM) among Sudanese women incomparison to other African countries. To review the immediate and the late complications of FGM. Tosuggest possible ways of its prevention and eradication.

Subjects and methods: This is a retrospective cross sectional study involving two groups of Sudanesewomen. The first group which comprises 1200 women was university students and this group representsnearly all parts of the Sudan as University students come from different ethnic and cultural groups. Thesecond group which included 800 women was selected as a sample of women coming to the outpatientUrology clinic of Soba University Hospital in Khartoum, which is a tertiary referral hospital, seeking med-ical advice for different urological problems. All the two groups signed consent to be part of this study. Allpatients in group A were given a written questionnaire including all the information’s about their experiencewith FGM to answer.

Results: Out of the 2000 women who were included in this study, 1468 were victims of FGM. Their agesranged between 20 and 62 with a mean age of 46 years. The FGM was performed below the age of sixyear in 1423 (96.9%). It was performed by a midwife at home set up in 1416 (94.5%). There were 267immediate complications and 618 late complications. The most serious complications were bleeding, sepsisand vesico-vaginal fistula. Other complications are discussed.