Eradicating female genital mutilation and cutting in Tanzania: an observational study

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Date
2015Author
Galukande, Moses
Kamara, Joseph
Ndabwire, Violet
Leistey, Elisabeth
Valla, Cecilia
Luboga, Sam
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Show full item recordAbstract
Female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C) has long been practiced in various parts of the world.
The practice is still prevalent in 29 countries on the African continent despite decades of campaigning to eradicate
it. The approaches for eradication have been multi-pronged, including but not limited to, health risk campaigns
teaching about the health consequences for the girls and the women, recruitment of change agents from within
the communities and the enforcement of legal mechanisms.
The purpose of this study was to analyse the impact of an 18 month long campaign to eradicate or reduce FGM/C
in a rural predominantly Masai community.
Methods: An observational study involving mixed methods, quantitative and qualitative was conducted in Arusha
region, Tanzania. A household survey, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, school children's group
discussions and project document reviews for both baseline and endline assessments were used. Same tools were
used for both baseline and endline assessements. Comparison of baseline and endline findings and conclusions
were drawn.
Results: The prevalence of self reported FGM/C at endline was 69.2 %. However, physical obstetric examination of
women in labour revealed a prevalence of over 95 % FGM/C among women in labour.
Those in favour of FGM/C eradication were 88 %. Nearly a third of the 100 FGM practitioners had denounced the
practice; they also formed a peer group that met regularly comparing baseline and endline. Knowledge about
FGM/C health risks increased from 16 to 30 % (p < 0.001). The practice is currently done secretly to an uncertain
extent.
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- Medical and Health Sciences [3684]