Controversial Cultural Health Practices in the GH Arena

There are several cultural health practices that are detrimental to the health of people. These harmful practices include (source http://www.icmer.org/) ;

• Female genital mutilation - Africa
• Early marriage - Asia, Middle East, Africa
• Severely restricted weight gain during pregnancy - Philippines, China, France, Guinea Bissau
• Postpartum nutritional restrictions - Latin America
• "Dry sex" - Africa, Latin America, South East Asia
• Virginity testing - Southern Africa

Statistics

• 2 million girls are at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) each year.
• FGM is practiced in 26 African countries.
• Prevalence - from 98% in Somalia, 97% in Egypt to 5% in Uganda.
• Practice is also found in Yemen, parts of Indian Malaysia, Indonesia and UAE.

In 1995, WHO developed 4 categories of FGM which include removal of the clitoral hood, removal of the clitoris with part or all of the labia minora, removal of clitoris, labia minora, labia majora, and stitching the vaginal opening to narrow it. These procedures are not reversible and can lead to death. FGM has a lot of immediate and long term complications which include bleeding, infection and damage to the adjoining organs. It also increases the risk of HIV infection.

Follow the given links for information on other practices.