Perception of Women on Female Genital Mutilations and implications for health communications in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Female Genital cutting is a culture-rooted practice common mainly in developing countries, Middle East, South East and Asia .FGC involves cutting mildly or severely the female genital organs especially two weeks before the adulthood. Type 1 and Type 11 are common in different parts of the world. Type 11 is highest in Egypt and Sudan, while Type I is common in Nigeria. However, the health problems associated with the practice informed the need to find out the perception of women about FGC and examine the most effective communication strategies to fight against it. The sample size for the study was one hundred and fifty –five respondents that were selected through Multi-stage sampling techniques. The major findings show that generally, women have negative perception about FGC, but there is still the belief among the elderly women that FGC checks promiscuity and that it is a noble practice. Communication strategies recommended for appropriate checking of the practice in traditional rural communities in Nigeria are group and interpersonal communication techniques coupled with multi-media and participatory approaches. However, educative programmes that enhance self-learning are viewed as being more effective than mass-media based communication and campaign strategies.