Study of relationship between mental health, quality of life, and sexual function of undergoing FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION women in the city of Piranshahr, 2015

Abstract

Background: Female genital mutilation/cutting is an intentional inhumane procedure which threatens girls' and women's health and deprives them of the right to have normal sexual sense. It is especially widespread in developing countries due to cultural, traditional and religious preferences. The aim of the current study was to investigate how women'ssexual function is affected by circumcision. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the urban and rural area of Piranshahr city, Iran, among a convenience sample of 200 women, 15-49 years old, who were applying to health care centers for receiving routine health care services. Data collection was conducted with the use of a self-administered written questionnaire to assess female sexual function index, mental wellbeing, and quality of life. Results: Significant differences were found between circumcised and non-circumcised women in total score of female sexual function index (FSFI) in domains of desire, arousal, vaginal moisture, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain [(p <0.001), MD(95%CI)=5.64(3.64 to 7.64)]. Based on Hotelling's T square, significant differences were found in dimensions of quality of life and FSFI while the difference was not significant for dimensions of mental wellbeing. Conclusion: The revealed sexual dysfunction among women who have undergone female genital mutilation gives ground to require that Public health systems take actions aimed at implementing special sexual education program to improve sexual functions of mutilated women and also changing beliefs and social norms related to female circumcision to eventually extinguish these practices.