Knowledge and Attitude of Secondary School Students toward Female Genital Mutilation in Khartoum State, Sudan

Background: Female genital mutilation is a deeply rooted harmful practice in Sudan. Objective: This study aims to assess the knowledge and attitude of secondary school students toward Female Genital Mutilation. Methods: A school-based, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Karary Locality, Khartoum State, Sudan. Four secondary schools for girls were involved in the study. From each school, two second grade classes were randomly selected, and data were collected from all students (292) in these two classes using an author-designed questionnaire. Results: The students were between 14 to 19 years old. Most of them (61.3%) were not circumcised. Regarding students’ knowledge about female genital mutilation types, 23.6% of them knew type 1 and 21.2% knew type 4. On the other hand, only 15.1% and 8.6% knew type 2 and 3, respectively. The majority of the students knew that bleeding, delivery problems and recurrent infections are possible female genital mutilation complications. Additionally, 78.8% of the student thought that circumcision should be stopped, and 70.9% of them would disagree if one of the families wants to circumcise a girl. Furthermore, 74.3% would advise their family members not to practice circumcision, and 68.8% agreed to join activities that aim to stop female genital mutilation. In fact, 68.8% perceive female genital mutilation as a violation to human rights, and 76.0% encourage legislations that fight female genital mutilation. Last of all, 79.8% of the students will not circumcise their daughters. Conclusion: The majority of the students showed good knowledge about female genital mutilation complications. While, minority of them knew its types. Moreover, respondents showed a good attitude toward stopping female genital mutilation.