%0 Journal Article
%T Prevalence Of Female Genital Mutilation And Its Relation To Menstrual Disorders Among Preparatory School Students; Cross-Sectional Study
%A Ahmed E. Arafa
%A Ahmed M. Abbas
%A Amel A. Mohamed
%A Hanaa K. Helmy
%A Shymaa S. Ali
%A Yasser Khamis
%J International Journal of Sexual Health | International Open Access Journal
%D 2019
%X Objective: The current study aims to evaluate the prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) among preparatory school students and its relation to menstrual disorders in Beni-Suef, Upper Egypt. Methodology: A cross-sectional study had been conducted on 860 preparatory school female students attending two public schools in the rural area in Beni-Suef city at the beginning of the second term of the academic year 2016/2017. They were interviewed and asked to fill out a questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics, questions about FGM/C, beliefs of girls about the justifications used for FGM/C, and the sources of information girls used to get knowledge about FGM/C. Also, the gynecological symptoms, mainly dysmenorrhea, and other menstrual disorders during the past 12 months, and the pain relief methods used by girls throughout the same period were reported. Results: Out of the 860 participating girls, 78.8% were circumcised. No difference between circumcised and the uncircumcised girls regarding the socio-demographic characteristics or gynecological data (p>0.05). Family and friends were the primary sources of knowledge about FGM/C. Around half of the circumcised girls had justifications for FGM/C; mainly religious and traditional (p=0.000). Dysmenorrhea, backaches and generalized aching were highly incident amongst the girls with no association between these symptoms and FGM/C (p>0.05). Conclusions: FGM/C is highly prevalent among school girls in rural areas. Religious and social issues are among the most potential risk factors for FGM/C. Further research should focus on changing attitudes of all family members, renewing the religious speech, and empowering young girls to stand against FGM/C. Keywords: Female genital mutilation; Circumcision; dysmenorrheal ; menstrual disorder
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