Female genital mutilation as sexual disability: perceptions of women and their spouses in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

Figures & data

Table 1. Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents.

Variables	Frequency (22)
	Male (10)	Female (12)
Age
20–29	0 (%)	1 (8.3%)
30–39	3 (30%)	6 (50%)
40–49	6 (60%)	4 (33.4%)
50–59	1 (10%)	1 (8.3%)
Religion
Christianity	10 (100%)	10 (83.3%)
Islam	0 (0%)	2 (16.7%)
Educational level
Primary education	0 (0%)	3 (25%)
Secondary education	1 (10%)	2 (16.7%)
Tertiary education	9 (90%)	7 (58.3%)
Occupation
Civil servant	5 (50%)	2 (16.7%)
Public servant	2 (20%)	5 (41.6%)
Private employment	2 (20%)	1 (8.3%)
Trading	0 (0%)	4 (33.4%)
Artisan	1 (10%)	0 (0%)
Membership of local community
Non-indigenes	1 (10%)	0 (0%)
Indigenes	9 (90%)	12 (100%)

Table 2. Reasons for FGM.

	Socio-cultural justification for FGM	Respondents frequency (%)
(1)	To keep up with traditional practices	Male: 10 (100%)
		Female: 12 (100%)
		Total: 22 (100%)
(2)	To curb promiscuity	Male: 10 (100%)
		Female: 12 (100%)
		Total: 22 (100%)
(3)	To avoid being ostracised	Male: 7 (70%)
		Female: 11 (91.7)
		Total: 18 (81.8%)
(4)	To prevent child death	Male: 8/10 (80%)
		Female: 5/12 (41.7%)
		Total: 13 (59.1%)
(5)	To prevent infertility	Male: 1 (10%)
		Female: 0 (0%)
		Total: 1 (4.55%)

Table 3. Coping among victims and their spouses.

No.	Coping among spouses of victims	Frequency among male spouses
(1)	Stimulating other parts of the body	4 (40%)
(2)	Applying sexual “experience”	3 (30%)
(3)	Trying and Re-trying	4 (40%)
(4)	Communication and Counselling	2 (20%)
(5)	Seeking sexual satisfaction outside the marriage	7 (70%)
No.	Coping among victims	Frequency among women
(1)	Seeking knowledge	4 (33.3%)
(2)	Not expecting more than what one gets	4 (33.3%)
(3)	Seeking solace in one’s children	6 (50%)
(4)	Giving in	9 (75%)