Attitude and Perception on the Impact of Female Genital Mutilation on Health and Sex Drive among Married Women in Ebenebe, Awka North L.G.A., Anambra State

Background: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a kind of practice which involves the partial or complete removal of female genitalia for non-medical reasons and it leads to so many health problems like infection, keloid formation, difficulty in delivery, shock, etc. Objective: This study therefore, aimed to investigate the attitude and perception of Female Genital Mutilation in Ebenebe, Awka North L.G.A., Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was employed in the study and well-structured questionnaires were developed and administered on the respondents. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and chi-square statistical analysis. Results: The result obtained showed that 189 (94.03%) of the interviewed women were aware of the practice of female circumcision in their community. Majority 102 (51.52%) of them reported that FGM practice usually carried out at their native homes and 176 (89.34%) were aware of the health implications of female circumcision. And 68.2% of respondents perceived that FGM is a bad practice and the practice should be abolished. In conclusion, women perceived that FGM is a bad practice because its health implications were relatively high. Therefore, efforts should be made by relevant bodies to encourage policies and programs relating to FGM in terms of abolition, awareness campaign and possible sensitization of the female folks.