WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

*Akintoye Emily Obaide, Akintoye Onome Pearl and Adjene Josiah Obaghwarhievwo

ABSTRACT

Female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation [FGM] is a common practice in many countries across the globe, especially Africa. Current study investigated the social and cultural implications of FGM on the natives of Bini, Southern Nigeria. A 150 open ended questionnaire was carefully structured, validated and distributed (n = 150) to selected Bini indigenes of the target area in Oredo Local Government Ares of the ancient city of Benin, Edo state of Nigeria. This prospective study was based on female children and parents who presented on account of FGM in the past. The questionnaire was designed to obtain relevant cultural and traditional norms of the Bini tribe as it relates to FGM. Sociodemographic data of sampled respondents were also collected. In the end, various sections of the questionnaire were subjected to statistical analysis, while expressing results in simple percentages to extrapolate the effect of FGM on the socio-cultural well-being of the people. Following careful observation, study found that about 74.5% of the respondents supported that till date, the Bini’s support cultural norms than global best practices on FGM as stipulated by the World Health Organizations (WHO). Whereas, about 55.7% of the subjects opposed to this. Study also observed that the social implication of FGM on the girl child within captured area is evident in their sexual life as about 40.6% of the respondents posited that the average Benin girl who underwent FGM is likely to lost control of their libido with time; even in their matrimony, while 29.2% however opposed to this. planned health education campaigns are recommended to elude the drawbacks of FGM and hazards of continuation of this practice in current communities that practice FGM.