Abstract: The practice of female circumcision (FC) is both barbaric and dehumanizing. Efforts to stop the practice in parts of Nigeria where it exists have not yielded the desired result. The study aims at determining the effects of Health Promotion Intervention (HPI) on the practice of FC, knowledge of health implications of FC and awareness of the ban on FC in Nigeria. A quasi-experimental design was used. Ten rural communities in Abia State, Nigeria were purposively selected for allocation into experimental and control groups of five communities each. A sample size of 860 pregnant women was systematically selected from a population of 1720 households enumerated for the survey. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that was interviewer administered and were analyzed quantitatively. Analysis of knowledge, awareness and practice of FC were taken before and after HPI and compared in both experimental and control groups. Knowledge of health implications of FC increased from 28(14%) to 177(88.5%). Awareness of the ban on FC in Nigeria increased from 30(15%) to 182(91%) while the practice of FC decreased from 126(63%) to 20(10%). There was no significant increase in the control group both in knowledge and awareness and no decrease in the practice of FC. Health promotion intervention activities among rural women caused a decrease in the practice of female circumcision by 106 (53%). Health promotion intervention is a veritable strategy for increasing knowledge of health implications of FC, awareness of the ban on FC, and decreasing the practice of FC among rural women.
Keywords: Health promotion intervention, effects, female circumcision, rural communities, Nigeria.
Title: PRACTICE OF FEMALE CIRCUMCISION: EFFECTS OF HEALTH PROMOTION INTERVENTION IN NIGERIA
Author: UDOCHI NWOSU, MADU AWA, JULIET ENUKEME, ONYEMACHI PRINCE
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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