Knowledge, attitudes, and positions of religious leaders towards female genital cutting: A cross-sectional study from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Understanding the perspectives of the key players in the community regarding female genital cutting (FGC) is very important for directing preventive programs. Religious leaders help shape community behaviors, which is highly pertinent in the case of FGC as it is frequently perceived to be a religious requirement. This study assesses religious leaders' knowledge, attitudes, and positions towards FGC in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It included a purposive sample of 147 local religious leaders (khateebs) representing the three governorates of Erbil, Sulaimaniyah, and Duhok. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data about the religious leaders' knowledge, attitude, and

SUBMITTER: Mahmood KI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9624424 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature