OBSTETRIC AND MARITAL CONSEQUENCES OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM) IN METROPOLITAN LAGOS, NIGERIA.
Keywords:
Female Genital Mutilation, Obstetric Complications, Marital Harmony, Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria.Abstract
This article examines the relationships between FGM practice and obstetric complications/marital harmony among ever-married women in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was carried out, and a quantitative analytical technique was used in analysing the data. Findings of the study reveal that women who have undergone FGM are more likely than uncircumcised women to experience obstetric complications such as obstetric hemorrhage, obstetric tears/lacerations, cesarean section and prolonged labour. Comparative analysis revealed that obstetric hemorrhage is highly common across the three forms of the FGM. However, women with infibulation seem to be more likely than women with clitoridectomy or excision to experience obstetric tears, while prolonged labour is more common among women with excision. On the marital effects of FGM, women who had undergone FGM are more likely than uncircumcised women to experience marital disharmony due to sexual problems. On the basis of these findings it is recommended that campaigns against FGM should be intensified and various stakeholders sensitised about its obstetric and marital consequences.References
Adebayo, C.O. (1992). Female Circumcision and Other Dangerous Practices to Women’s Health issues in Nigeria. U.K: Pearson Education International.
Berg, R.C. and Underland, V. (2013). Obstetric Consequences of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). Report from Kunnskapssenteret No. 6-2013. Oslo: Norwegian Knowledge Centre for Health Services.
Centre for Gender and Social Policy Studies (1998). Report of Baseline Survey of Positive and Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting Women and Girls in Nigeria. Ile-Ife: Obafemi Awolowo University.
Dawit, S. (1994). African Women in the Diaspora and the Problem of Female Genital Mutilation. ASA Women’s Caucus Newsletter.
Gibbs, R.S., Karlan, B.Y., Hanley, A.F., and Nygaard, I. (2008). Danforth's obstetrics and gynecology. 10th Ed. New York: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
Hogan, M.C., Foreman, K.J., Naghavi, M., Ahn, S.Y., Wang, M., and Makela, S.M. (2010). Maternal Mortality for 181 Countries, 1980-2008: A Systematic Analysis of Progress towards Millennium Development Goals. Lancet 375:1609-23.
Hosken, F.P. (1993). The Hosken Report: Genital and Sexual Mutilation of Females, Fourth Edition. Lexington, Massachusetts: Woman’s International Network News.
Koso-Thomas, O. (1987). The Circumcision of Women: A Strategy for Eradication. London: Dotesios Ltd.
Krejcie, R.V. and Morgan, D.W. (1970). Determining Sample Size for Research Activities, Educational and Psychological Measurement 30:607-610.
Lewis, G. (2004). Beyond the Numbers: Reviewing Maternal Deaths and Complications to make Pregnancy Safer. Geneva: World Health Organisation.
National Population Commission (NPC) [Nigeria] and ICF Macro (2009). Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2008. Abuja, Nigeria: National Population Commission and ICF Macro.
National Population Commission (NPC) [Nigeria] and ORC Macro (2004). Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2003. Calverton, Maryland: National Population Commission and ORC Macro.
Odimegwu, C.O. and Okemgbo, C.N. (2000). Female Circumcision and Sexual Activity: Any Relationship? UNILAG Sociological Review, 1, 159-176.
Rahman, A. and Toubia, N. (2000). Female Genital Mutilation: A Guide to laws and Policies Worldwide. New York: Zed Books Limited.
Sai, F. (1995). Socio-Cultural and Legal Practices and Gender Equity, Adam and Eve and the Serpent. Accra: The Ghana University Press.
Toubia, N. (1993). Female Genital Mutilation: A Call for Global Action, 2nd edition. New York: Women Ink.
United Nations General Assembly (1981). Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). New York: United Nations.
Women’s Policy Inc. (1996). Female Genital Mutilation in Women’s Health Equity Act of 1996: Legislature Summary and Overview. Women’s Policy Inc. p. 48.
World Health Organisation (1994). Female Genital Mutilation Information Kit. Geneva, Switzerland.
World Health Organisation (2001). A Systematic Review on Health Complications of Female Genital Mutilation including Squelae in Childbirth. Geneva, Switzerland.
World Health Organisation (2008). Factsheet, Maternal Mortality, Department of Making Pregnancy Safer. Geneva, Switzerland.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright is owned by the journal.
