Factors influencing the practice of female genital mutilation: health implications in Ahoada West Local Government Area, Rivers State Nigeria

Abstract

The likelihood that certain practices meted on women in some localities could greatly impact their health and well-being is high. This study investigated factors influencing the practice of female genital mutilation: health implications in Ahoada West Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. As a result, the four study goals transformed into the four developed research questions and four hypotheses that served as the study's guiding principles. The study adopted a correlational design. The population of the study comprised 94, 836 adult females (18-50 years) out of which 450 respondents were randomly selected for the study. A 40-item expert-validated 4-point rating scale titled "Factors Influencing Practice of Female Genital Mutilation and Health Implication Scale" (FIPFGMHIS) was designed by the researcher for data collection. The reliability of the instrument was 0.75. The collected data were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC( r). The study revealed a low positive relationship between education and the religious practice of female genital mutilation, respectively, while culture had a high positive relationship with the practice of female genital mutilation in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State. It was concluded that the practice of FGM continued unabated in the study area despite its health implications. The study recommended, amongst others, that the governmental, educational and religious bodies or institutions should embark on public enlightenment targeted at informing the populace on the health implications of engaging in female genital mutilation.