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

AIM: 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. METHOD: 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 Toure, Bamako, regarding the knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers related to the female excision. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: L'excision reste une pratique bien ancree. Les politiques de lutte contre l'excision se heurtent ainsi a des croyances tres profondes.