DETERMINANTS AND HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM) AMONG CHILDBEARING MOTHERS (CBMS) IN UZO-UWANI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ENUGU STATE.

Abstract

The thrust of the study was to investigate the determinants and health consequences of female genital mutilation (FGM) among childbearing mothers (CBMs) in Uzo-Uwani LGA of Enugu State. Specifically, the study identified four objectives with four corresponding research questions formulated to guide the study. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. A multi-stage sampling technique of balloting without replacement was used to select 390 CBMs in Uzo-Uwani LGA of Enugu State. Data were collected using questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using percentages to answer the four research questions. Results showed that educational factors were determinants (52.5%) of FGM; socio-cultural factors were determinants (58.9%)ot. FGM; .religious factors were not determinants (39.4%) of FGM and CBMs 204 (54.5%) appreciate the health consequences of FGM. Based on the findings, the investigator recommended among other things that all health educators and other health profesionals' to counteract through health education programmes all socio-cultural practices associated with FGM and advocacy meetings to solicit the support of political, religious and community leaders in the elimination of FGM.