The Effects of Female Genital Mutilation on Vaginal Deliveries and Maternal Satisfaction in Awka, Anambra State Nigeria

This study aimed at investigating the effect female genital mutilation has on vaginal deliveries and maternal satisfaction of mothers in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. This study is quantitative in nature and made use of a target population of women both with FGM and without FGM who gave birth in year 2022 in one of the community hospitals (Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital) in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. The study used a sample of 138 women categorised into two equal groups of women with FGM and women without FGM, which was determined using the Cochran’s (1963) formula. Data were collected using a questionnaire and scales. Data were analysed using via the aid of the SPSS version 26. For evaluation of data descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages, and inferential statistics such as correlation analysis, regression analysis, and chi-square tests. Findings from the study showed that, women with FGM experienced challenges such as vaginal tears, long hospital stay, large volume of blood loss, episiotomy, high pain level. It also showed that FGM had a negative relationship with birth outcomes such as vaginal bleeding and tears (β = -0.280, p = 0.001<0.05). Birth outcomes of the women with FGM such as babies’ APGAR scores of 8-10, episiotomy, vacuum delivery, high number of pad changes, high number of pain killers used, and 48 hours of hospital were discovered to be significant. The study also discovered that FGM had a negative and statistically significant relationship with maternal satisfaction (β = -0.325, p=0.000<0.05). This study concluded that FGM negatively affects vaginal deliveries and maternal satisfaction of women. The findings suggest that women who have undergone FGM may encounter challenges and adverse outcomes during the childbirth process.