title: Attitudes to female genital mutilation/cutting among male adolescents in Ilorin, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The central role of males in female reproductive health issues in patriarchal societies makes them an important group in the eradication of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine knowledge about and attitudes to FGM/C among male adolescents, and their preparedness to protect their future daughters from it.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey among male adolescent students in Ilorin, Nigeria. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire after consent had been obtained from them or their parents. Statistical analysis was with SPSS version 20.0 (IBM, USA). A p-value of &lt;0.05 was taken as significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1 536 male adolescents (mean age 15.09 (standard deviation 1.84) years, range 14 - 19), 1 184 (77.1%) were aware of FGM/C, 514 (33.5%) supported female circumcision, 362 (23.6%) would circumcise their future daughters, 420 (27.3%) were of the opinion that FGM/C had benefits, mostly as a necessity for womanhood (109, 7.1%), and 627 (40.8%) perceived it as wickedness against females; 546 (35.5%) were aware of efforts to eradicate FGM/C, and 42.2% recommended education as the most important intervention to achieve this.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Education and involvement in advocacy may transform male adolescents into agents for eradication of FGM/C.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ilorin and University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. acrowncord@hotmail.com.
authors: Abiodun S
authors: AS
authors: Adeniran
authors: Munirdeen A
authors: MA
authors: Ijaiya
authors: Adegboyega A
authors: AA
authors: Fawole
authors: Olayinka R
authors: OR
authors: Balogun
authors: Kikelomo T
authors: KT
authors: Adesina
authors: Abdul Waheed O
authors: AW
authors: Olatinwo
authors: Adebunmi O
authors: AO
authors: Olarinoye
authors: Peace I
authors: PI
authors: Adeniran