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Factors and Problems Related to Female Genital Mutilation as Seen in Children at St. Gaspar Hospital, Itigi, Tanzania


CR Majinge
SE Ngallaba

Abstract

Objective: To determine the aetiological factors and problems related to female genital mutilation as seen in children at St. Gaspar Hospital.
Data source: Secondary data were obtained from St. Gaspar Hospital, records, registers and patients files or case notes from children ward were retrieved and reviewed, later a special master data sheet was used to collect the required information from the registers.
Data selection: All records of female children who were admitted in the hospital for the past two years were selected however children from outside the region (Singida) were excluded.
Data extraction: A special data sheet was used to collect the required information from the registries, Case note and record, data analysis was done using Dbase IV and SPSS (Version9.0).
Data Synthesis: Retrospective cohort study of 803 female children of which 14.5% had FGM according to statistical confidence review of registers records and case notes. The leading cause of FGM was found to be cosmetic and the performer (expert) of FGM are traditional local people about 92%.
Conclusion: The ratio of FGM was 3:20 women. Nyaturu tribe practice FGM at large and the society have a negative altitude towards girls or women who are not mutilated. Consent for FGM is given by parents and not the child who under go FGM because this is considered to be service to the privileged girls who are expected to undergo FGM, this information was obtained through FGD.

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eISSN: 0012-835X