THE EFFECT OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN OKPARA INLAND, ETHIOPE EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE

THE EFFECT OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN OKPARA INLAND, ETHIOPE EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE

  • The Complete Research Material is averagely 56 pages long and it is in Ms Word Format, it has 1-5 Chapters.
  • Major Attributes are Abstract, All Chapters, Figures, Appendix, References.
  • Study Level: BTech, BSc, BEng, BA, HND, ND or NCE.
  • Full Access Fee: ₦5,000

Get the complete project » Delivery Within 34-48hrs

CHAPTER ONE

1.0  INTRODUCTION

1.1  BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Girls and women, all over the world are subjected to a number of traditional practices that are not only harmful to them but also dehumanizing and relegates them to the background. Related to “harmful traditional practice” is the concept of “female genital mutilation”. The fact is that female genital mutilation is a major public health issue in the world.

It is frequently referred to as female circumcision. UNESCO and other scholars disagree with this comparison. To them, this is misleading. Circumcision is an inappropriate word to describe what women go through as circumcision is only applicable to male genitals. In the case of women, it is excision, genital mutilation or clitodectomy. UNESCO had earlier on drawn attention to the process of circumcision of male and female and asserted firmly that the two processes are not one and the same. For the women, the procedure is far more “invasive and dangerous” and has many different variations.  

World Health Organization (WHO, 1995) defined FGM as a procedure which involves partial or total removal of the female external genitalia and/or injury to the female genital organs for cultural or any other non-therapeutic reasons. American Academy of Pediatrics (1998) regarded FGM as a traditional custom of ritual cutting and alteration of the genitalia of female infants, girls, adolescents and adults in some cultures. FGM involves surgical procedure performed mostly by traditional (unqualified) health personnel, usually in an unclean environment, and with crude unsterile instruments (Jordan, 1994).

It is estimated that about 115-130 million women worldwide have undergone the procedure, UNESCO (1997). According to World Health Organization (WHO, 1995), female genital mutilation is practiced in one form or the other in about 40 countries mostly in East and West Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula. The practice as a result of migration has spread to Europe and North America. Female genital mutilation is a deep-rooted practice in Nigeria and it is well celebrated in some countries.

In Nigeria, it is practiced mostly in the South although, some Northern states are involved. Studies revealed that south-south zone has the highest prevalence rate of 77% of females aged 15 plus, Hodges (2001: 197).

Female genital mutilation has been identified as one of the exuberant ritual ceremonies of Urhobo cultural practices which is as old as Okpara Inland community. Despite the fact that it has gained extensive popularity for which the Urhobo people are particularly proud for its aesthetics, it is doubtful that much documentary work has been done. However, it has enjoyed wide publicity.

In context, the eyanvwe (circumcision) as used in Okpara Inland is a social-cultural institution of significance in the life of the average Urhobo woman in Okpara Inland.

Literally, it is identified with the symbol of radiant appellation of which a girl acquires by virtue of her beautiful qualities which include, among others, respect for elders, both within and outside the home (which perhaps endears her to her parents, relations and everybody in the community overtime).

Consequently, there are immediate and long term health problems associated with FGM (WHO, 1995). The occurrence and severity of health complications vary according to the type and extent of the procedure, the skill of the operator, the cleanliness of the tools, the environment, and the physical condition of the girl or woman undergoing the procedure (WHO, 1998). Immediate health complications include: hemorrhage, severe pain, shock, acute urine retention, ulceration of the genital region, injury to the adjacent tissue and organs, and fracture or dislocation, usually resulting from resistance by the victim (Toubia, 1994; WHO, 1998; Mordi, 2003).

The long term health complications include: difficulty in passing urine, recurrent urinary tract infections, dysmenorrheal (painful menstruation), clitoral neuronal, dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse), and sexual dysfunction (WHO, 1995). Armstrong (1991) pointed out that the potential for the transmission of infection, including Hepatitis B (HBV), and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is great. Hellsten (2004) asserted that various hygienic, aesthetic, religious and cultural reasons have been used to justify FGM where it is practiced. Some of these include: prevention of promiscuity, preservation of virginity, rite of passage to womanhood, enhanced marriage prospects, beliefs about hygiene, religious mandate, prevention of stillbirth and enhanced fertility, among others (Dorkeneoo, 1994; Who, 1995; Mordi, 2007).

1.2  Statement of Problem

This study is inspired by careful examination of the effects of female genital mutilation among adolescents in Ethiope East Local Government Area, Okpara Inland, Delta State.

This research is at the forefront in the agitation for an end to this traditional practice (FGM) having as reason the fact that it (FGM) has a short and long term consequence. The formal which include haemorrhage, severe pain, shock among others, while the later include: difficulty in passing urine, painful menstruation, sexual dysfunction among others.

This reason is also due to the fact that there may be risk of death from shock or severe bleeding and the risk of infection such as septicemia.

This research is out to resolve such problems.

1.3  Research Questions

The following research questions must have been answered at the end of this research work.

  1. Is there any significant difference between the effects of female genital mutilation and the health consequences?
  2. Is there any significant relationship between the practice of female genital mutilation and the personnel that carry out the practice?
  3. Is there any significant relationship between the various forms of female genital mutilation and its classification?

1.4  Research Hypothesis

Emanating from the research questions, the researcher tested the following hypothesis:

  1. Ho-there is no significant difference between the effects of female genital mutilation and the health consequences.
  2. Ho- there is no significant relationship between the practice of female genital mutilation and the personnel that carry out the practice.
  3. Ho- there is no significant relationship between the various forms of female genital mutilation and its classification.

1.5  Purpose of the Study

The purpose of the study is to:

Examine the effect and/or health consequences of FGM,

Examine why FGM is practiced and/or the personnel that carryout the practice

Examine the various forms of female genital mutilation.

1.6  Significance of the Study

Female genital mutilation has become highly controversial in recent times due to conflict in between tradition and modernity.

This study shall help to reduce the harmful aspect of the traditional practice of FGM in Okpara Inland and in fact Delta State in general.

It will also help other researchers to research further on the issue of FGM as one of the specific problem facing women folk.

Therefore, this research would assist health practitioners, parents, young girls and women in looking critically into some of the problems associated with FGM, in order to take decision as regard discouraging it.

Also, it is expected that the result of this project will enlarge the list of the documented materials on this research area in Delta State.

1.7  Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study intends to analyze the effects of female genital mutilation among adolescents in Okpara Inland in Ethiope East Local Government Area, with the use of the research questions to evaluate the effects. Thus, it is delimited to adolescents in Okpara Inland. This will include both literate and illiterate members.

1.8  Definition of Terms

  1. Circumcision: to cut off the foreskin
  2. Clitoridectomy: the mildest form in which the tip of the clitoris is cut off
  3. Exuberant: lively and cheerful
  4. Genitals: the sexual organ of reproduction
  5. Sexuality: capacity for sexual feelings
  6. Septicemia: infections of the blood by harmful bacterial and tetanus

You either get what you want or your money back. T&C Apply







You can find more project topics easily, just search

Quick Project Topic Search