HAMFUL TRADITIONAL PRACTICE

BEING

A SEMINAR PRESENTATION

TO

TO ADAMAWA STATE COLLEGE OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY YOLA

BY

COMMUNITY NURSING STUDENT SET (4)

GROUP TWEVE (12)

ID NUMBERS

CN/04/0124

CN/04/007

CN/04/0121

CN/02/095

CN/02/0135

CN/04/0126

COURSE TITLE: SEMINAR IN COMMUNITY PRACTICE

COURSE CODE: CNP217

COURSE INSTRUCTOR: MR. BAMAIYI .E. NJANAS

MR. KWALFATA BONIFACE

SEPTEMBER, 2023

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

Objectives…………………………………………………………………………………....3

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………..…4

Definition harmful traditional practice ……….…………………………………………….…..5

Types of harmful traditional practice…………………………………………………………..…5

Consequence of harmful traditional practice ………….…………………………….……..6

Contributory factors of harmful traditional practice …………………………………………..7

Effects of harmful traditional practice …………………..……………………………...……..7

Measures to prevent and stop harmful traditional practice ……………………….…...……..8

Strategies for elimination of harmful traditional practice…………………………….….…….8

Summary………………………………………………………………………………………12

Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………….12

Reference………………………………………………………………………………….…..14

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OBJECTIVES

At the end of this paper seminar presentation, the audience should be able to;

1. Define harmful traditional practice

2. Highlight the types of harmful traditional practice

3. Identify the Measures to prevent and stop harmful traditional practice

4. Identify the Strategies for elimination of harmful traditional practice

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INTRODUCTION

Traditional represent the sum of all behavior that are learned, shared by a group of people and

transmitted from generation to generation. It includes languages, religions, types of food eaten,

and methods of their preparation, childbearing, practices and all other values that hold people

together and give them a sense of identity and distinguish them from other group

To evaluate a traditional practice as harmful / beneficial we might use the objectives instruments

based on the knowledge gained from social and natural sciences. Today we have ampule

knowledge about the physical nature of man, his physical anatomy and social life. It is therefore

possible to objectively assess whether a specific traditional practices is harmful to the physical

nature of a human being, his psychology and social need and development, and therefore

incompatible with scientific theory and practice (Catania & Abdulkadir, et al, 2017)

Ethiopia is a country of famous and long long-standing history; it is also a country with many

useful and promotional traditions. These major traditional practices include breastfeeding which

is common especially in the area of the country , postnatal care ,social gathering, such as

“Edir’’ “Ekub’’ caring for the aged , the disabled and others within the family circle

On the other hand Ethiopia is a country where harmful traditional practices continue to devastate,

especially the health and social condition of mothers and children.

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DEFINATION OF HARMFUL TRADITIONAL PRACTICES

Harmful traditional practices are different forms of violence that are committed against woman

and girls in the society. These practices are unethical and violent which may claim the lives of

the victims. (WHO, 2022)

Example of these practices are forced marriage, child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM)

ETC

TYPES OF HARMFUL TRADITIONAL PRACTICES

There are various types of harmful traditional practices. These practices are not only harmful to

the health of the victims but can lead to their death. Some of the include

1. Female genital mutilation (FGM)

2. Harmful nutritional practice e.g food taboo

3. Early marriage and early pregnancy

4. Male- child preference

5. Tribal marks and scarification

6. Wife bithening and child abuse

7. Dowry and bride price

8. Gender equality

9. Unequal access of female education

10. Discrimination against inheritance

11. Property law

12. Widow hood right

13. Wife inheritance

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Female genital mutilation (FGM)

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as all

procedures which involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia and/or injury

to the female genital organs, whether for cultural or any other non-therapeutic reasons.

FGM is carried out with special knives, scissors, and scalpels, pieces of glass or razor blades.

Anesthetic and antiseptics are generally not used unless the procedure is carried out by medical

practitioners (Catania & Abdulkadir, et al, 2017)

The practice of FGM is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and

women. It reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes and constitutes an extreme form of

discrimination against girls and women (WHO, 2022). It is nearly always carried out by

traditional practitioners on minors and is a violation of the rights of children. The practice also

violates a person's rights to health, security and physical integrity; the right to be free from

torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment; and the right to life, in instances when the

procedure results in death. In several settings, there is evidence suggesting greater involvement

of health care providers in performing FGM due to the belief that the procedure is safer when

medicalized. WHO strongly urges health care providers not to perform FGM and has developed

a global strategy and specific materials to support health care providers against medicalization.

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Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a traditional harmful practice that involves the partial or

total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to female genital organs for

nonmedical reasons.

It is estimated that more than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone female

genital mutilation in the countries where the practice is concentrated. In addition, every year an

estimated 3 million girls are at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation, the majority of

whom are cut before they turn 15 years old (UNICEF, 2016).

Types of Female Genital Mutilation

Female genital mutilation is classified into 4 major types:

i. Type 1 (Clitoridectomy or Clitoral Excision): This is the partial or total removal of the

clitoral glans (the external and visible part of the clitoris, which is a sensitive part of the

female genitals), and/or the prepuce/clitoral hood (the fold of skin surrounding the

clitoral glans).

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 ii. Type 2 (Excision): This is the partial or total removal of the clitoral glans and the labia

minora (the inner folds of the vulva), with or without removal of the labia majora (the

outer folds of skin of the vulva).

iii. Type 3: Also known as infibulation, this is the narrowing of the vaginal opening through

the creation of a covering seal. The seal is formed by cutting and repositioning the labia

minora, or labia majora, sometimes through stitching, with or without removal of the

clitoral prepuce/clitoral hood and glans(WHO,2022)

iv. Type 4 (Unclassified or Miscellaneous Procedures): This includes all other harmful

procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, e.g., pricking, piercing,

incising etc.

v. Scraping and cauterizing the genital area.

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Complications/ Risks of FGM

FGM has no health benefits, and it harms girls and women in many ways. It involves removing

and damaging healthy and normal female genital tissue, and it interferes with the natural

functions of girls' and women's bodies. Although all forms of FGM are associated with increased

risk of health complications, the risk is greater with more severe forms of FGM.

These complications are classified, according to the time when they appeared, into:

1. Immediate complications: Patients in who cutting was recent, with signs of

complication appearing in the next few hours and up to 10 days after cutting was

performed (WHO,2022)

2. Long term complications: appeared more than 10 days later, and were more related with

pregnancy affectations during labour or childbirth (Obstetrics complications).

Type of complications

Depending on aetiology, the complications can be:

a. Haemorrhage: Excessive bleeding from genitalia because of this cause could also lead

to acute anaemia.

b. Infections: Invasion and spreading of pathogenic micro-organisms, divided into:

i. Tetanus: Presence of fits or convulsions, opistotonous position.

ii. Repetitive infections of low urinary tract.

iii. Infection of the urethral mucus and/or cystitis.

iv. Septicaemia: Colonization of the blood by bacteria with a lethal systemic infectious

stage.

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 v. Vulvovaginitis: Acute inflammation of the vaginal mucus characterized by burnings,

itching, redness and excoriation due to rash with or without leucorrhoea.

Why is female genital mutilation a harmful practice?

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a harmful practice with significant physical, psychological, and

sexual consequences. Here are some reasons why FGM is considered harmful:

i. Physical Health Consequences: FGM can cause immediate and long-term physical health

problems. Immediate complications may include severe pain, bleeding, infections, urinary

problems, and even death. Long-term consequences can include chronic pain, urinary tract

infections, menstrual problems, sexual dysfunction, and complications during childbirth, and

increased risk of obstetric complications.

ii. Psychological and Emotional Impact: FGM can lead to severe psychological trauma and

emotional distress. Survivors may experience anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder

(PTSD), low self-esteem, and a range of psychological disorders.

iii. Sexual Health Implications: FGM can have negative effects on sexual health and sexual

functioning. The removal or alteration of sensitive genital tissue can reduce sexual pleasure and

result in pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia). It can also contribute to sexual anxiety,

relationship difficulties, and affect overall sexual well-being.

iv. Violation of Human Rights: FGM is recognized as a violation of human rights, including the

right to health and freedom from torture and cruel or degrading treatment. It undermines an

individual's autonomy, dignity, and right to make decisions about their own body.

v. Interference with Normal Bodily Functions: FGM interferes with normal bodily functions,

such as urination and menstruation. The narrowing of the vaginal opening in more severe types

of FGM can lead to difficulties in menstrual flow and urinary complications, including

recurrent infections and urinary retention.

vi. Lack of Medical Justification: FGM is not a medical procedure and has no health benefits.

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It is performed primarily for cultural, social, and sometimes misguided religious reasons. Medical

professionals universally agree that FGM violates medical ethics and provides no health benefits to

individuals.

What are the Reproductive Health consequences of FGM?

Female genital mutilation (FGM) can have significant reproductive health consequences for girls and

women who have undergone the procedure. Here are some of the reproductive health implications

associated with FGM:

i. Menstrual Problems: Depending on the severity of the FGM procedure, it can interfere with

normal menstrual flow. Narrowing of the vaginal opening (as seen in Type 3, infibulation) can

lead to difficulties in proper menstrual blood drainage, causing irregular menstruation. This

may result in pain and an increased risk of infections.

ii. Urinary Complications: FGM can cause urinary problems due to the alteration of the urinary

system. These complications may include recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), urinary

retention, urinary incontinence, and urinary tract obstruction. The risk of UTIs can increase due

to the presence of poor hygiene practices and difficulties in proper cleaning of the genital area.

iii. Obstetric Complications: FGM can lead to obstetric complications during childbirth. It can

make labor and delivery more challenging, increasing the risk of prolonged labor, tears,

episiotomies, instrumental deliveries (forceps or vacuum), and emergency caesarean sections.

These complications can pose risks to both the mother and the newborn.

iv. Sexual and Reproductive Dysfunction: FGM can have negative effects on sexual health and

functioning. The removal or alteration of sensitive genital tissue can lead to reduced sexual

pleasure, pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia), and difficulties in achieving orgasm.

These factors can affect sexual satisfaction, intimacy, and the overall sexual wellbeing of

individuals who have undergone FGM.

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Widowhood right

Being a widow and widowhood is a very terrible experience especially in igboland and other

parts of the country. The wife is accused of killing her late husband and made to drink the dirty

water used to wash his corpse, booed, manhandled, beaten and ostracized. She and her children

may be denied her husband’s properties. Sometimes, she is driven from her home and made

penniless. The untold psychological trauma caused by this harmful cultural practice can’t be

imagined. The water from the corpse given to the woman to drink can be a source of infection

like lassa fever, ebola virus fever etc. Though, there have been campaigns against mistreatment

of widows lately but I feel it is not enough. Laws needs to be enacted but at the state and federal

level to curb this unhealthy practice.

Tribal marks and scarification

Designing OR cutting the face with sterilized OR unsterilized knife or blade is a barbaric African

culture that should be stopped forthwith. Persons with tribal marks suffer all sorts of

discrimination and stigmatization.

Tribal marks are a barbaric cultural practice that harms children

Early marriage and early pregnancy

Compared to the southern part of our beloved country, the north takes the lead in this one. It is

not something hidden anymore; it has become a ceremony and shame that has refused to go

away. The girl-child of 13, 14, 15 16 and 17 that is supposed to be in school has been turn into a

bride forced and arranged into early marriage to become baby mothers. The dangers of early

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marriage are adolescent pregnancies, vesico-vaginal fistula, obstructed labour, drop-out from

school, social stigma, infant mortality, maternal deaths, ignorance, poverty and diseases.

Male- child preference

This is one of the harmful African traditional practices. In Nigeria, it is commoner in the

northern part. We need to stop or start campaigning against this practice and give equal

opportunities to both sexes. Here, the male child is fed better than the girl-child, sent to school

and given better opportunities to excel at the expense of the girl- child. So much premium is

placed on the male child in Africa that couples may consider them themselves childless without a

male-child. They continue to give birth in search of a male-child and the female child is deprived

of all the basic needs required for human development and the family, nation and the society

suffers for it.

The child learns from the mother first before any other member of the family. What is a child

going to learn from an illiterate, uneducated and ignorant mother? Now how is the mother going

to know the importance of immunization, breastfeeding and how to prepare oral rehydration salt

solution for the child with diarrhea. Wont this deprived woman use insecticide treated net to

grow tomatoes in the farm at the expense of preventing malaria for her child? We should have a

rethink and stop the girl-child discrimination.

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CONSEQUENCES OF HARMFUL TRADITIONAL PRACTICE

1. The inability of a woman to conceive due to disease contracted during the processes, e.g.

FGM (Reisel D & Creighton S, 2016)

2. It leaves bad memory in the life of the victim

3. Severe pain during sexual intercourse and menstruation

4. Loss of self-esteem, sadness and depression

5. Risks of death due to pregnancy –related causes in the case of early marriage

6. Psychological trauma for the victim

7. Contacting of disease and infection during the process of some these harmful practices

8. Social discrimination especially for the girls child

CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR TO HARMFUL TRADITIONL PRACTICES

i. Religious misconception

ii. Social injustices

iii. Poverty

iv. Poor educational level

v. Inadequate policies

vi. Ignorance

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EFFECTS OF HARRMFUL TRADITIONAL PRACTICE

Harmful traditional practices can leads to various health conditions such as :(Reisel D &

Creighton S, 2016)

1. Hepatitis

2. Low birth weight

3. Birth retardation resulting from nutritional taboo

4. Septic action

5. Unwanted pregnancy

6. Infection of the urinary tract infection

7. HIV/Aids and teenage pregnancy

MEASURES TO PREVENT AND STOP HARRMFUL TRADITIONAL PRACTICE

1. Proper campaign to eliminate these practices should be put in place with legal backing

2. Some selected people in the society such as religious leader, traditional leaders, elders

political; leaders, teachers, etc. should be well educated about the consequences of these

practices

3. Activities and technical support to eliminate these practices should put in place

4. Traditional practitioners involved in these practices should be given other alternative

income – generating activities

5. Girls and woman should be well educated on the incidence of harmful practices and

should be greatly discouraged from involving in it

6. Female education should be promoted and encouraged

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STRATEGIES FOR ELIMINATION OF HARRMFUL TRADITIONAL PRACTICE

a. Community education campaign

b. Advocacy to all ties of government, policy makers at local , state, national and

international levels

c. Awareness campaign at all levels on the immediate and long term consequences in the

communities , school and market

d. Mobilization and participation are powerful strategy to bring about change in attitude and

perception

e. Legislation of 18 years as minimum age of marriage

f. Manage complication and consequences according to standing order

g. Need to establish counseling services in order to Control spousal and prenatal violence

h. Develop appropriate information , education and Communication materials for specific

target group

i. Equip health workers with knowledge and skills to manage complication arising from

harmful practices

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SUMMARY

Harmful traditional practices are forms of violence which have been committed primarily against

women and girls in certain communities and societies for so long that they are considered, or

presented by perpetrators, as part of accepted cultural practice.

The most common are: Female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM), early marriage and early

pregnancy, Male- child preference, Tribal marks and scarification And Gender equality

CONCLUTION

Harmful traditional practices occur across all sexes, sexual identities and genders. They are not

unique to a particular culture or religion.

Some of the motives for forced marriage and/or honour based violence have been identified as

1. families controlling unwanted sexual behaviour or sexual orientation

2. preventing relationships out with the community

3. Protecting the family ‘honour’.

These are forms of domestic and sometimes child abuse. Unlike ‘typical’ domestic abuse, family

members and the extended family are often involved. As well as the physical, sexual and

psychological health impacts, victims can be forced to leave education or employment.

This results in isolation, limited career opportunities, financial dependence and suffering from

the emotional impact that this brings.

There is limited evidence to determine the extent of people affected by female genital mutilation

(FGM)

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REFERENCES

Alsibiani S.A & Rouzi A.A (2017). harmful traditional practice Sexual function in women Fertil

Steril.93:722.

Andersson S & Rymer J,et al.,(2012). Sexual quality of life in women who have undergone

female genital mutilation: a case–control study. BJOG. 2012;119:1606.

Berg R.C & Denison E (2012). Does female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) affect women’s

sexual functioning? A systematic review of the sexual consequences of

FGM/C. Sex Res Soc Pol.

Biglu M.H & Farnam A, et al (2016). Effect of harmful traditional practice/cutting on sexual

functions. Sex Repord Healthc. 2016;10:3.

Catania L & Abdulcadir O,et al.,(2017). Pleasure and orgasm in women with female genital

mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). J Sex Med.

Hisasue S.I & Kato R, et al (2017).Prevalence of female sexual dysfunction symptoms and its

relationship to quality of life: a Japanese female cohort study,Urology.

Reisel D & Creighton S.M,et al (2016). Long term health consequences of harmful traditional

practice

WHO (2022). World Health Organization. Definition, effects of harmful traditional practice.

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