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Knowledge Attitude and Practice of Genital Labia Minora Elongation among College’s Students in Uvira Town, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Abstract
This study assessed the knowledge, practice and perception of genital labia minora elongation among colleges ‘female students. A questionnaire was distributed to 277 undergraduate students of 3 colleges between May and July 2018 with 254 (92, 4%). Their average age was 21 years old, the extremes being 17 and 29 years. 52% were Bafuliru, 21,5% Babembe. 35.2% ignored female genital mutilation (female circumcision) while 94.5% knew about labia minora elongation and got information from aunts and other elder women. The practice has been performed by 78.5%, this between the ages of 11 and 16 years old (84 %). The reasons were sexual satisfaction husband (52,6%), female sexual satisfaction/increased arousal (48,3%) and becoming a real woman (36, 7%). Labia minora elongation is more performed among Bafuliru, Babembe and Banyamulenge compare to other tribes (p<0.05), regardless the religion (p>0.05). It was done individually, pulling their inner lips several times between the thumb and index finger using specific herbs called ndobo, umudege, sombe (cassava leaves) and others unnamed (55%) or saliva (37.2%) during one to six months, until the length of its own thumb. Overall 63% appreciated the practice not harmful and a personal choice despite a pain at the beginning. However, 16.4% of the students founded it unpleasant and a violation of women`s rights. Therefore, a wide among the 11 tribes of the province should be carried out to assess it`s prevalence and health impacts.
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