Perceived Barriers to Eliminate of Female Genital Mutilation among People of Ihioma, Orlu Local Government Area, Imo State

Abstract

This study investigated factors affecting elimination of female genital mutilation of Ihioma, Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State. The study focus on perceived barriers to eliminate female genital mutilation among the people. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. The research designed for the study is a descriptive survey design. A simple size of 1,787 (male and female) adults was randomly drawn from the three villages in Ihioma using stratified random sampling techniques, representing 50% of the population. The instrument used in this study was questionnaire, titled Barriers to Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation Questionnaire (BEFGMQ) which was validated and the reliability test retest method. Person product moment correlation coefficient was used, which yielded a reliability index of 0.75. Mean score was used to answer the research questions and the Z-test was used to test the hypothesis. The findings of the study revealed among others that traditional updates, religious beliefs, cultural basis, and gender inequality have been posing great threat to the elimination of female genital mutilation. Based on the findings, it was recommended that, there should be mass mobilization companies. Workshops, seminars, counseling, and health talks against the practice of female genital mutilation for Ihioma people. The local, state and federal government of Nigeria should enforce the law and policy against the elimination against the female genital mutilation