Female genital mutilation among medical students in khartoum, sudan in 2003 : changing attitudes

Abstract EN

Objective: To study the prevalence of and attitudes toward genital mutilation among female medical students in Khartoum, Sudan in 2003.

Methods: A number of female medical students (473) were selected randomly through a multi-stage sampling technique.

Each replied to a detailed questionnaire after informed consent.

Results: The majority (75.3%) of the students were circumcised; 21.1% had undergone infibulation (pharaonic)' and 66.8% simple mutilation (clitoridectomy).

Only 48.1% of their sisters were circumcised.

Female genital mutilation was usually performed between the age of 5-10 years, mostly (66.6%) by midwives, and at home (72.3%).

Most (87.3%) of respondents will not support FGM and will not perform it on their daughters and patients.

This study showed that a lack of information regarding female genital mutilation remains, even among medical students.

Cencluslen: This study demonstrates that although FGM is still practiced, there is evidence of declining prevalence and a change of attitude among younger women.