Knowledge, Attitude and Intention to Future Practice of Female Genital Mutilation among Medical Students, Egypt

Abstract

Background: There is no medical indication for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) a procedure with wide range of complications. In Egypt, around 50% of the population supports the practice; moreover, health care providers contrary to their original role in eliminating such harmful practice perform about 80% of the FGM. In Egypt, the knowledge and attitudes of medical students about FGM are questionable. Objectives: To explore the level of knowledge and attitudes towards FGM/C and identifying the possible predictors favouring its practice among medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional study, 630 medical students were included. Self-administered anonymous data collection form was used. Results: Females demonstrated significant higher knowledge score 4.5 (3.5-5.5) with more negative attitude towards FGM/C. Males with low knowledge score 5 (4.0-6.0) were the significant predictors for future FGM/C practice among the included sample.Conclusions: Medical students especially males are not sufficiently knowledgeable about FGM/C; some of them would perform FGM/C in their future practice. Female genital mutilation (FGM/C) is an important global issue of interest attracting policy-makers' attention attributed to its direct effect on women's health and representing an explicit of gender-based violence. (1) Globally, it is estimated that 100-140 million girls and women have undergone FGM/C. (2) Different types of FGM/C procedures are identified including complete removal of clitoris. (3) In many developing countries, the practice may involve females before marriage or even with the birth of their first child. (4) In Egypt 50% of the girls had undergone FGM/C between 5 and 10 years of age and more than 80% of them were performed by health care providers. Moreover, about 50% of the population supports the practice believing it is a religious required ritual. (5) FGM/C may appear as a surgical procedure that lay people with no training in surgery or hygienic practice often done it (6) , especially among poor families; it could be resorted to a senior female in the family or the neighbourhood, or by traditional practitioners, midwives or barbers, (4) using any sharp unsterilized objects including scissors, and razor blades or even broken glass. (7) The FGM/C is an ancient cultural practice, predating the Bible and the Koran and has no basis in any religion (8). FGM/C is currently practiced in over 26 countries in Africa, Middle East and some countries in Asia, with a prevalence of 70 % or more reported in eleven African countries including Egypt. (9) Regardless the social class, educational background or religious affiliation FGM/C is practiced at all segments of Egyptian society and there is support from some women towards its continuation despite the absence of medical or health indications. (10) The immediate and long-term consequences of FGM/C are well known,