The Impact of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on Hemorrhage During Child Birth Among Rural Women of Cross River State

Abstract

This study investigates the cultural practice of “Female Genital “Cut” (otherwise known as female genital mutilation (FGM)) and its Effects on a particular factor of Maternal Health Risks (Hemorrhage) with focus on Women of Child Bearing Age in the rural communities of Agbo, Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. To give the study its direction, one (1) research question was stated and one (1) hypothesis was formulated thus:  there is no significant relationship between female genital “cut” and hemorrhage during child birth among Agbo women. The hypothesis formulated was tested using Chi-square statistical tool. The result of the analysis showed that there is a significant relationship between female genital “cut” and hemorrhage. Based on the findings of this study, conclusion was drawn, it was recommended among others, that the women folk should be given the right to take part in decision making concerning their health; since women who have had female genital “cut” are significantly more likely to experience difficulties during child birth (as a result of the higher risks of hemorrhage), and are in a better position to take decisions of elimination of such harmful cultural practices because they are the ones directly affected by the practice.