Table 2 Knowledge of FGM/C among Gambian health care professionals
| Â | Total HCP (%) | HCP by ethnic group (%) | HCP by sex (%) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Â | Â | Mandinka | Djola | Wolof | Fula | Serer | Men | Women |
Reported answers of Gambian HCP about reasons/justifications given by those in support of FGM/C | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
It is a mandatory religious practice | 53.8 | 54.9 | 43.8 | 42.6 | 58.7 | 60.0 | 56.3 | 48.8 |
It is a deeply rooted cultural practice | 48.2 | 43 | 43.8 | 55.3 | 49.2 | 80.0 | 43.7 | 55.1 |
It reduces sexual feelings | 42.1 | 41.5 | 56.3 | 36.2 | 47.6 | 40.0 | 43.7 | 38.6 |
It is a rite of passage for girls into womanhood | 34.4 | 37.8 | 34.4 | 36.2 | 25.4 | 40.0 | 39.1 | 26.8 |
It is a good practice | 23.3 | 28.7 | 15.6 | 19.1 | 25.4 | 6.7 | 26.1 | 18.9 |
It helps to maintain their virginity for their husband | 13.5 | 14.1 | 12.5 | 8.5 | 14.3 | 6.7 | 12.6 | 15.7 |
It reduces the rate of prostitution | 11.1 | 12.7 | 12.5 | 8.5 | 6.3 | 0.0 | 14.6 | 5.5 |
It does not violate human rights | 0.6 | 0.0 | 3.1 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.8 |
Reported answers of Gambian HCP about consequences on health of FGM/C | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
Transmission of infectious diseases | 59.1 | 52.8 | 67.7 | 60.4 | 55.7 | 73.3 | 57.6 | 42.4 |
Bleeding | 53.4 | 51.2 | 67.7 | 45.8 | 45.9 | 80.0 | 54.1 | 52.8 |
Health problems | 50.9 | 44.7 | 38.7 | 62.5 | 57.4 | 66.7 | 50.5 | 52.8 |
Difficulty during delivery | 46.3 | 45.5 | 51.6 | 60.4 | 31.1 | 53.3 | 44.4 | 48.8 |
Reduction of sexual feelings | 25.2 | 27.2 | 29.0 | 12.5 | 24.6 | 13.3 | 27.3 | 20.8 |
Affects the health and welfare of women and girls | 20.7 | 19.5 | 29.0 | 31.3 | 16.4 | 13.3 | 19.9 | 22.4 |
Difficult penetration during sex | 4.0 | 2.4 | 3.2 | 12.5 | 1.6 | 6.7 | 4.6 | 3.2 |
No consequences | 2.1 | 2.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4.9 | 0.0 | 3.1 | 0.8 |
Has seen a girl with complications after FGM/C | 40.9 | 33.2 | 41.5 | 60.3 | 39.7 | 55.0 | 33.8 | 51.1 |
Considers FGM/C to be a mandatory religious practice (a) | 38.5 | 50.3 | 34.1 | 8.3 | 40.3 | 28.6 | 40.2 | 38.1 |