Prevalence of female genital mutilation and factors associated with it among women consulting health centers in Ravansar City, Iran

Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons.The World Health Organization has estimated that 100 to 140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the adverse consequences of FGM. Two of the major incentives for FGM are traditions and social pressure, and the practice is mostly carried out by traditional circumcisers. Not only FGM has no health benefits for girls and women, but it has immediate and long-term complications. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of female genital mutilation and factors associated with it among women consulting health centers in Ravansar City, Iran

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 348 women consulting 5 health centers in Ravansar City, Iran. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and SPSS.16 was used for data analysis.

The prevalence of FGM was 55.7% and the mean age of the women undergoing FGM was 9.2±14.2 years. The prevalence increased with age. Almost in all cases the operation had been performed by traditional local circumcisers. The data also showed that 96.2% of the mothers and 87.6% of the sisters of the subjects had also been mutilated. There were statistically significant associations between FGM and several independent variables as follows: the mutilated women's age (0.001) and education level (p<0.001); their mother's education level (p=0.006); and their awareness of, and attitude towards, mutilation (p<0.001).

FGM is prevalent among Ravansar women. Religious leaders and health personnel should attempt to discourage FGM. Promoting public awareness of FGM and its undesirable consequences is essential. Research shows that if a community itself decides to abandon FGM, the practice can be eliminated rapidly.