Knowledge, attitude and practice of female genital cutting among antenatal patients in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.

BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread practice of FGC, not much attention had been given to it until recently. The attitude of expectant mothers towards it is crucial in sustaining it. OBJECTIVE: To assess knowledge, attitude and practice of female genital cutting among antenatal patients in Aminu Kano Teaching hospital in northern Nigeria METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 210 antenatal patients seen at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital from February to March 2003. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information about socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practice of female genital cutting. RESULTS: Majority (91.4%) of the respondents have heard about FGC. Clitoridectomy and infibulation were known by 36.2% and 5.2% of the respondents respectively. Sixty and 5.2% of respondents knew that HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis could be transmitted by methods used in FGC. Other complications mentioned include sexual dissatisfaction (25.7%) and difficult delivery (8.6%). Furthermore, 16% of respondents wished FGC would continue mainly due to cultural or religious reasons, this opinion was associated with low (20.5%) level of education. Opponents of FGC gave medical complications as their main reason. Prevalence of circumcision was 23.3% and the most common type (36.7%) was clitoridectomy. CONCLUSION: Though awareness about FGC has improved, and attitude towards it appears generally negative, the practice still persists in the north, though at a lower level than the Southeast and Southwest. It was therefore recommended that intensive campaign and health education among mothers and the general public, as well as enforcement of legislation are needed.