Intentions of female health care providers towards circumcising their daughters

ABSTRACT

Female genital cutting is a public health problem. In Egypt, 97% of ever-married Egyptian women had been circumcised. In order to deal with FGC effectively, there is a need to discern the factors that lead to perpetuation of its practice. The aim of this study was to describe the intention of health care providers to circumcise their daughters, and to analyze the factors that might be influencing this intention. The study was carried out in the University and General hospitals, as well as the MCH centers in Assiut and Port-Said cities, using a cross-sectional analytic design. A consecutive convenience sample was taken, 101 from Port Said and 250 from Assiut, with inclusion criteria of being a female health care provider, and having at least one daughter. Data were collected during the period from June to November 2004 using self-administered questionnaire comprising questions about socio-demographic data, beliefs, conviction and intention to circumcise daughter[s], as well as husband's opinion. The age of women ranged from 17 to 60 years. Most of them were nurses, and had urban residence [83.8%,]. The number of daughters ranged front one to four. More husbands were convinced with circumcision than wives, 48.4% and 32.5%, respectively. The most commonly stated reasons for circumcision were habit [68.4%], religious factors [67.2%], and chastity [65.0%]. Women conviction with and intention of circumcision were influenced by their age, religion, education, job, husband education, family type, and number of daughters. husbands with rural residence, extended families, and higher number of daughters were also more convinced. Statistically significant association was present between conviction of women and husbands on one hand, and women intention to circumcise their daughters on the other hand, p<0. 001. More urban women mentioned changing concept and fear from complications, while more rural women have mentioned the change in traditions. About half of the women in Port Said were convinced [45.5%], compared to about one fourth in Assiut [27.2%], p<0.001. The mean age at circumcision was statistically significantly higher in Assiut [11.2+/-1.6 SD years], compared to Port Said [9.7+/-2.0 SD years], p<0.001. It is concluded that still more than one third of healthcare providers are convinced and have the intention to circumcise their daughters. It is recommended to conduct educational programs that emphasize the religious aspects of the issue. Also, nurses need to be acquainted with the various cultural forces that lead to FGC in order to help women