Tradition Versus Female Circumcision: A Study Of Female Circumcision Among The Isoko Tribe Of Delta State Of Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Female circumcision is a culturally sanctioned tradition practiced in many Africa countries and has deleterious consequences on women’s health, sexuality and fertility.
Objective: To determine the extent of the practice and factors that influence decisions on female circumcision.
Methods: The first 700 female patients attending clinics at the
General Hospital Oleh, a suburb an community, were recruited during a 6 months period (May – October 2007).
Results: Data analyzed from 630 of them showed a high significant rate of circumcision (66%) (P<0.05), the rate being higher among the married females. Majority of the circumcisions
were done at marriage (71%). Principal reason for circumcision was tradition (79%). Only 16.7% of circumcised female, below age 16 years, had some form of complication immediately after the procedure.
Conclusion: Suggestions to counter the practice include enlightenment campaign aimed principally at custodians of cultural values, including women in various setting, and the
introduction of sexuality education into the educational system.

Key words: female circumcision, culture, marriage.