Knowledge, attitude, and practice among mothers towards female circumcision Ombada province Khartoum state, Sudan

Abstract

Background: Female circumcision (FC) is a widespread practice that is carried out on young girls between the ages of 5 and 10 years, it is not a religious obligation required by known religions. It is practiced mainly in Africa and in some Asian countries. Methods:  A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Ombada province, with objectives to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices among mothers towards female circumcision. Results: Three-hundred-and-sixty-eight - questionnaires were returned. The mean age of the mothers participated in study was (32±11.9) years, (51.0%) of them had formal education and (84.5%) were Muslim. All mothers knew female circumcision, (80.2%) of them affirmed that it is still practiced in their society. The significant reasons why FC persistent practice were; to insure virginity, compliance religious instructions, avoid social stigma, good for prospective marriages, with proportion of  (52.2%), (32.9%),  (10.2%) and (4.7%), respectively. The majority of mothers were known its health consequences, (85.0%) of mothers knew that female circumcision it can be eradicated through increasing mother’s awareness (68.0%). The attitude of mothers towards (FC) was negative attitude (71.5%) i.e. encouraging it. The negative attitudes were associated with marriage prospective (29.7%), safeguard virginity (27.4%), religious instructions (19.0%), husband pleasure (11.4%), removal of genitalia dirtiness (5.7%), and tradition practice (5.3%). Whereas Type I, clitoridectomy (Sauna) the most preferred type by mothers (43.9%). Conclusions:  Mothers participating in the study aware about FC While, the practice and negative attitudes is still persistent among mothers in northern Sudan, supported by religious, culture, social, tradition and misconceptions.