Attitudes to female genital mutilation/cutting among male adolescents in Ilorin, Nigeria : research

• Published in: South African medical journal Vol. 106; no. 8; pp. 822 - 823
• Main Authors: Olatinwo, A.W.O., Balogun, O.R., Olarinoye, A.O., Adeniran, A.S., Adeniran, I.P., Adesina, K.T., Ijaiya, M.A., Fawole, A.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Health and Medical Publishing Group (HMPG) 01.08.2016
• ISSN: 0256-9574; 2078-5135
• DOI: 10.7196/SAMJ.2016.v106i8.10124

Background. The central role of males in female reproductive health issues in patriarchal societies makes them an important group in the eradication of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Objectives. To determine knowledge about and attitudes to FGM/C among male adolescents, and their preparedness to protect their future daughters from it. Methods. A cross-sectional survey among male adolescent students in Ilorin, Nigeria. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire after consent had been obtained from them or their parents. Statistical analysis was with SPSS version 20.0 (IBM, USA). A p-value of <0.05 was taken as significant. Results. Of 1 536 male adolescents (mean age 15.09 (standard deviation 1.84) years, range 14 - 19), 1 184 (77.1%) were aware of FGM/C, 514 (33.5%) supported female circumcision, 362 (23.6%) would circumcise their future daughters, 420 (27.3%) were of the opinion that FGM/C had benefits, mostly as a necessity for womanhood (109, 7.1%), and 627 (40.8%) perceived it as wickedness against females; 546 (35.5%) were aware of efforts to eradicate FGM/C, and 42.2% recommended education as the most important intervention to achieve this. Conclusion. Education and involvement in advocacy may transform male adolescents into agents for eradication of FGM/C.