Knowledge of and Attitudes to Female Genital Mutilation Among users of the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Service at the Reference Health Center of Commune I of Bamako, Mali

Abstract

Female genital mutilation is harmful to girls and women in many ways. First and foremost, it is painful and traumatic, and the removal of normal, healthy genital tissue interferes with the body's natural functioning. They have a variety of immediate and long-term health consequences. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of female genital mutilation users (women) in the obstetrics and gynaecology department of the commune I reference health centre in the Bamako district. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional, prospective, descriptive study designed to investigate users' (women's) knowledge of and attitudes towards female genital mutilation. It took place from 1 November 2019 to 30 April 2020, a period of 6 months, in the gynaecology and obstetrics department of the reference health centre in Commune I of the Bamako district. We included all women admitted to the department for gynaecological or obstetric consultation after informed consent had been obtained. Result: Out of a total of 188 female users, 176 of them were excised, a frequency of 93.6%. Female users reported having been excised as children in 93.9% of cases. Most users (59.6%) want to excise their daughters for traditional and religious reasons. Female genital mutilation (FGM), although practised by traditional excisers, is still being medicalised. The reason for FGM was unknown to 25.0% of the women surveyed. In 44.8% of cases, the users (women) had suffered a perineal tear during childbirth.