EVALUATION OF HEALTH PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION IN IKWERRE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF RIVERS STATE

Abstract

The study was carried out to help find out the evaluation of health problems associated with female genital mutilation in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. Survey research design was used for the study. The total sample size was 300 and only 291 were appropriately and duly responded to which was used for the study, a structured questionnaire of three section with a total of 47 items was used to elicit information on the health problems associated with female genital mutilation, the reasons for practicing female genital mutilation and the impacts of female genital mutilation. The instrument was validated by three experts in research, whose input on the instrument were very helpful. The health problems associated with female genital mutilation were severe pain due to the operation (271, 93.13%). The reasons why female genital mutilation is performed where girls are generally subjected to powerful social pressure from their peers and family to undergo the procedure (233, 80.07%). The impacts of female genital mutilation on females were survivals of female genital mutilation felt they are different from women who have not had female genital mutilation (242, 83.16%). It was recommended among others, due to powerful social pressure from peers and family to undergo the procedure of genital mutilation, public health educators should note this and organize health talks and films for the evaluation of the people of the area of the dangers of this dangerous practice.