Effect of female genital mutilation on female sexual function, Alexandria, Egypt

Abstract

Background: The global prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) ranges from 0.6% up to 98%. It has many health psychological impacts including abnormalities of female sexual function.

Objectives: To study female genital mutilation and its effect on female sexual function, Alexandria, Egypt 2013.

Methods: A case–control study was conducted on a convenient sample of 272 circumcised women with their 272 control from 4 randomly selected primary health care centers. Specially designed format (including data about socio-demographic characters, gynecological obstetric histories, and FGM act) and female sexual function index (a 19-item self-reported questionnaire for assessing the key dimensions of female sexual function) were used. Bivariate analysis was conducted to test significant differences between cases and control.

Results: 73.9% of cases experienced dysmenorrhea (OR= 3.750), 43.4% had obstructed labor (OR= 1.745) and 27.6% got postpartum hemorrhage (OR= 2.855). 48.9% of FGM was performed by dayas or midwives, 91.2% performed at home, 49.6% of type I, and 87.9% experienced complications. Cases had lower mean sexual function. 52.6% of cases were convinced with FGM.

Conclusion: FGM was a risk factor for dysmenorrhea, obstructed labor and postpartum hemorrhage. Cases had lower mean sexual function; moreover, half of them convinced with FGM practice and with its continuation.

Keywords: Female genital mutilation; Female sexual function; Circumcision