Prevalence of Female Circumcision among Young Women in Beni-Suef, Egypt: A Cross-Sectional Study

Study objective: Female circumcision (FC) is a deeply rooted practice in Egypt with deblitating physical and psychological consequences. During the past 2 decades there have been sincere efforts to reduce this practice. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of circumcision.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Beni-Suef City, Egypt.

Participants: Young women (12-25 years of age).

Interventions: A survey was given to 3353 young women residing in Beni-Suef City. Data were collected using a questionnaire that included information about the sociodemographic characteristics of participants, their gynecological data, exposure to FC, and complaints associated with menses during the previous year.

Main outcome measures: Prevalence of FC in rural areas in Beni Suef.

Results: Of the 3353 interviewed women, 1846 (55%) were circumcised. Women residing in rural areas, married women, and those who had illiterate parents were more likely to have experienced circumcision. Students were less likely to be circumcised (P < .05). The circumcised girls reported shorter menstrual cycles and dysuria with menses (P < .05). Dysmenorrhea, generalized aching, and nervousness were the most common complaints associated with menses in both groups, with no statistically significant differences (P > .05).

Conclusion: FC is highly prevalent in rural areas in Beni-Suef, however, compared with previous reports it seems that the rates of circumcision have decreased markedly. Despite this decrease, the practice of female genital mutilation is still highly prevalent, suggesting that future research and intervention will be needed to eliminate this practice.