[Mothers knowledges, attitudes and practices on female genital excision in Bamako]

In Mali society, female excision is a cultural practice. Despite the awareness campaigns, it affects nearly 85% of the female population (EDSM IV). This study was initiated to assess the knowledges, attitudes and practices of mothers about female circumcision.

We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional study from June 1 to July 31, 2011, in the Department of Pediatrics of the teaching hospital of Gabriel Touré, Bamako, regarding the knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers related to the female excision.

We interviewed 224 mothers. The prevalence of female circumcision was 73%. In 72.7% of cases, the area affected by the mutilation was unknown to the mother. Nearly seventy percent (69.6%) of mothers thought that female circumcision had advantages only and should even be mandatory (74.6%). Female circumcision was associated with tradition, and it would be a religious obligation for 65%, and 21.4% of mothers, respectively. More than half of the girls were circumcised before their first year (76.3%) and 26.3% in the neonatal period. The majority of mothers were against a law banning the practice of female circumcision (54%). Ninety five percent of mothers reported that they would renew the experience of female circumcision.

Female circumcision remains a well-established practice. Policies to fight against female circumcision are faced to very deep beliefs.