Female genital mutilation/cutting in sudan and subsequent pelvic floor dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Gynecology
• Public Health
• Women's Health

Background:

• Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a significant public health issue with high prevalence in Sudan (87.2%).
• Type 3 FGM/C is the most prevalent form (50.4%), followed by Type 2 (35%) and Type 1 (8.5%).
• FGM/C can lead to various short-term and long-term health complications, including pelvic floor dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the socio-demographic characteristics of women with FGM/C.
• To assess the association between different types of FGM/C and pelvic organ prolapse (POP).
• To determine the risk of developing symptomatic POP in relation to FGM/C status and type.

Main Methods:

• Multinomial logistic regression analysis was employed to analyze the relationship between FGM/C types and POP.
• Women were categorized into different POP groups for analysis.
• Statistical significance was determined using odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI).

Main Results:

• FGM/C was found to be a significant risk factor for symptomatic POP.
• The risk of developing symptomatic POP was significantly lower in women without FGM/C compared to those with Type 3 FGM/C (OR: 0.171).
• Women with Type 1 (OR: 0.250) and Type 2 (OR: 0.216) FGM/C also had a significantly lower risk of symptomatic POP compared to Type 3, with Type 2 showing a 58.4% lower risk compared to Type 3 (OR: 0.419).
• Older age was identified as a significant risk factor for symptomatic POP.

Conclusions:

• Types 2 and 3 FGM/C pose significant health risks, contributing to pelvic floor dysfunction and complications later in life.
• FGM/C negatively impacts female genital anatomy, leading to mechanical and physiological deterioration.
• Addressing FGM/C is crucial for preventing long-term health issues such as symptomatic POP.