European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology: X (Jan 2019)

Female genital mutilation and obstetric outcome: A cross-sectional comparative study in a tertiary hospital in Abakaliki South East Nigeria

  • Chidebe C. Anikwe,
  • Brown N. Ejikeme,
  • Nworah J. Obiechina,
  • Bartholomew C. Okorochukwu,
  • Johnson A. Obuna,
  • Fidelis A. Onu,
  • Lenard O. Ajah

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 1

Abstract

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Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is an assault on womanhood. Objective: To compare the obstetric outcome between parturient with genital mutilation with a cohort that has no genital mutilation. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional prospective study was done in the labour ward of Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki between 1st January 2013 and 31st December 2013. The obstetrics outcome of 260 consenting healthy parturients with FGM in the 1st stage of labour was compared with 260 cohorts with no FGM and also in labour. Data were obtained with a structured questionnaire and analysed using IBM SPSS Statistic version 20. Simple percentage odd ratio and Chi-square were used for data analysis at a p-value of 0.05). Conclusion: The study has shown that FGM in labour increases the odds of developing perineal trauma which may be associated with a host of short- and long-term complications. We recommend continued awareness creation to stop FGM. Keywords: FGM, Episiotomy, Perineal tear, Haemorrhage