Parental Attitude on Eradication of the Practice of Female Genital Mutilation: The Role of a Counsellor

Abstract

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a harmful traditional Practice prevalent
among many ethnic groups in Nigeria and is fraught with many complications.
In spite of the intervention campaigns by the Government and Nongovernmental Organisations, the National Demographic and Health Surveys
of 2003 and 2008 reported that the percentage of Nigerian women
circumcised had increased from 19 to 30 percent within five years. This
study therefore, examines the parents’ perception on eradication of the
practice of FGM in Ogun and Osun States, Nigeria. A total of 756
respondents comprising 378 male and female adults and 378 male and
female adolescents participated in the study. Female Genital Mutilation
Awareness Questionnaire (FGMAQ) was administered on the respondents
to collect data on their level of awareness on FGM as well as their attitude
towards eradicating FGM practice. Results from percentages and chi-square
statistical analysis of data revealed that more than half (54.9%) of the
respondents favoured the practice of FGM as they believed it upholds
tradition and reduces sexual immorality, an attitude that is completely
oblivious of its harmful effect and complications arising from it. Therefore,
there is need for a well-coordinated professional counselling intervention to
eradicate the practice of FGM.