Knowledge of, attitudes about, and practice of female genital cutting in antenatal patients among Igbos in Nigeria

Background: The attitude of expectant mothers toward female genital cutting (FGC) is crucial with regard to eradicating the practice. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of FGC among antenatal patients among the Igbos in Nigeria. Methods: This study was conducted on 600 consecutive pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at Abia State University Teaching Hospital (Abia State, Nigeria), from May to November 2005, using structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results: The majority (77.5%) of respondents had heard about FGC. Clitoridectomy, excision, and infibulation were known by 63.5%, 10.8%, and 3.2% of the respondents, respectively. Of these, 67.8% and 4.5% of respondents knew that HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, respectively, could be transmitted by the methods used in FGC. Prevalence of circumcision was 60.4% and the most common type (62.7%) was clitoridectomy. Conclusions: Our study confirmed a high prevalence rate of FGC among Igbos despite adequate knowledge and negative attitudes. © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.