الفهرس 
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Abstract
Female circumcision is a way to control women’s sexuality, Female circumcision is a main manifestation of gender inequality and discrimination “related to the historical suppression and subjugation of women,” denying girls and women the full enjoyment of their rights and liberties (Long & Decker, 2011).
Female circumcision is a reflection of the amount of genital organs removed and the pain and damage it inflicts on girls and women. Unlike male circumcision which entails only the removal of the foreskin in the penis, female circumcision involves removal of genital organs ranging from clitoridectomy- the removal of the prepuce or hood of the clitoris; excision- the removal of the clitoris and all or part of the labia minora; to infibulation which involves the removal of the clitoris, the labia minora and most of the labia majora (Alison, 2015).
Female circumcision, is a practice that have serious health consequences, is of great concern to the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition to causing pain and suffering, it is a violation of internationally accepted human rights (Chaiban et al., 2016).
Female circumcision is the collective name given to several different traditional practices that involve the cutting of female genitals. The procedure is commonly performed upon girls anywhere between the ages of four and twelve as a rite of passage. In some cultures, it is practiced as early as a few days after birth (Berg& Dension, 2012(.
Aim of the Study:
Aim of the study to assess mother’s perception towards hazards of female circumcision in rural community through:
- Assessing mother’s knowledge and practice towards hazards of female circumcision.
- Assessing mother’s attitude towards female circumcision.
- Assessing predisposing factors lead to female circumcision
Research question:
This study is based on answering the following questions:
- Is there a relation between mother’s knowledge and their attitude towards female circumcision in rural community?
- Is there a relation between mother’s socio demographic characteristics and knowledge about female circumcision in rural community?
- What are the health hazards of female circumcision in rural community?
- What are the pre disposing factors leading to female circumcision in rural community?
Research setting:
This study was conducted at 16 maternal and child health centers at Beni-Suef city. It was calculated as Beni-Suef governorate contain 161 MCH center, 10% was selected from the total number by using systematic random sample, from every 10 MCH center was selected one.
The rural MCH units are one of the most important therapeutic institutions, serving millions of villagers and survivors. However, some of them have collapsed completely.
Subject of the study:
A purposive sample of 300 mothers was selected from 16 MCH centers who matched the following criteria:
- Have female daughters aged from 7 to 15years.
- Have female girls done circumcision or not.
Tools for data collection:
Data were collected using the following tools:
First tool: Structured interviewing questionnaire designed by investigator that include 4parts:
Part I: Socio-demographic data of the mothers
Part II: Assess history of female circumcision in the family
Part III: Assess mothers’ knowledge towards female circumcision.
Part V: Assess predisposing factors leading to female circumcision as stated by mothers.
Part IV: It devoted to assess the reported practice of mothers after circumcision.
Second tool:
Assessment of mothers’ attitude toward female circumcision:
This tool was adopted from Stanhope (2013) and modified by the investigator after reviewing literature in this field; to assess mothers’ perception towards hazards of female circumcision in rural community, it consisted of 32 questions.
The study findings:
- This study showed that the mean age of the mothers is 34.3± 4.1years, 34.3% were illiterate, 68% were house wives, and¬ crowding index mean is 2± 1.3. Besides, 37.3% of the studied mothers have female daughters in the age of 10-12 year and their mean number is 3.2 ± 1.4 daughters.
- More than half of the studied mothers have unsatisfactory level of knowledge regarding circumcision and its hazards.
- More than half of the studied mothers not done the practices after circumcision.
- More than half of the studied mothers have positive attitude regarding circumcision.
- There was a highly statistically significant relation between mothers’ socio- demographic characteristics and their knowledge, practice and attitude regarding circumcision.
- There was a highly statistically significant relation between knowledge of the mothers and their attitude toward circumcision.
Conclusion:
After conduction of the present study; it concluded the following:
The present study showed that there was a statistically significant relation between mothers’ socio-demographic characteristics and their knowledge, practice and attitude toward circumcision. Also, there was a highly statistical significant relation between knowledge and attitude of mothers toward female circumcision. The current study also indicated that pain and bleeding were seen to be the most common physical health hazards of female circumcision among the studied mothers. Fear was seen to be the most common psychological hazard of female circumcision. Finally the present study concluded that social, economic factors, habits and traditions were seen to be the most common predisposing factors lead to circumcision among the studied women.
In the light of these findings it was recommended that:
• Increase rural community awareness regarding female circumcision through mass media.
• Health education programs should be developed for increasing awareness of mothers about female circumcision at MCH centers and outpatient clinics.
• Raise mother’s awareness about how to deal with hazards occurred after performing circumcision through brochures and pamphlets given through MCH centers.
Further research about:
• Attitude of the girls towards female circumcision and its complications.
• Comparative study between rural and urban areas about misconceptions of female circumcision.
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