Female Genital Mutilation: A Review

Abstract

Female genital mutilation is a cultural practice that can adversely affect the health of a woman. It is not practiced solely in one area of the world. Of the estimated 85 to 114 million girls who have undergone genital mutilation, most live in Africa. Despite efforts to abolish it, it is still widely practiced in Nigeria. The national prevalence is between 50 and 60%. The timing of FGM varies from one part of the country to another. Also, the reasons for performing it differ amongst ethnic groups. The extent of female genital mutilation varies from simple excision of the clitoris and labia minora (types 1 and 2) as practiced in most part of Nigeria, to infibulation with excision of the clitoris, labia minora and majora (Type 3) as practiced in Sudan and Eritrea. Invariably, the procedure is performed by traditional healers, traditional birth attendants, trained midwives, and to a much lesser extent by doctors in some countries, notably Egypt, Sudan and Sierra Leone. In most cases, no anaesthesia is given and the procedure is done under very poor hygienic conditions. While the immediate complications of female circumcision include haemorrhage, infection and urinary retention, the long- term complications are labial adhesions, clitoral retention cysts, gynaetresia, cryptomenorhoea, vaginal fistulae, infertility, obstetric complications and HIV/AIDS. Emphasising the reproductive health implications of this practice could prove an effective strategy towards eradication of female genital mutilation.