Elongation of labia minora in Uganda: includingBagandamen in a risk reduction education programme

Abstract

Okukyalira ensiko or 'visiting the bush' is how, in Uganda, the Baganda people name the practice of elongating the labia minora, which young girls start performing before menarche. As a mandatory rite of passage that identifies membership of the tribe, one of its main purposes is to enhance sexual pleasure for both male and female partners. The conditions in which it is practiced involve certain physical health risks. In this qualitative study carried out in Wakiso district, a semi-structured interview was conducted among 31 Baganda men, in order to understand their perceptions, attitudes and knowledge toward the way in which their daughters practise labia minora elongation. According to our results, men highly value this practice for its capacity to enhance sexual stimulation even though they are aware of its risks. Since genital stretching is likely to endure, the authors discuss the possibility of addressing Baganda men by health workers in an education programme aimed at minimising the risks attached to the procedure and, hence, improving the sexual and reproductive health of Baganda girls.

It’s All About Sex: What urban Zimbabwean men know of labia minora elongation

“…The risks and benefits for the health of women who practice LME are, however, still under-explored. Discomfort, irritation, swelling, edema and pain, have been described by some of the participants of the qualitative studies (Grassivaro Gallo & Villa, 2006;Fusaschi, 2010;Martínez Pérez & Namulondo, 2011;Martínez Pérez, Namulondo & Bagnol, 2013). Pain, irritation, itching, swelling and dyspaurenia related to LME were reported by 5% of 919 women who participated in a household based survey on vaginal practices that was carried out in Tete Province, Mozambique (Hull, Martin Hilber, Chersich, Bagnol, Prohmmo, Smit et al, 2011;.…”

“…This study reproduces the methodology previously used in a qualitative research conducted in Wakiso district, Uganda (Martínez Pérez & Namulondo, 2011). In Wakiso district, the male members of the Baganda linguistic group were assessed in order to determine the likelihood that they would be involved in health promotion interventions aiming at minimizing the impact of LME in the health of Baganda girls (Martínez Pérez & Namulondo, 2011).…”

“…Their paternal aunts, grandmothers or their female peers instruct them. The most commonly cited motivations reported by those who practice it are that it is a requisite for marriage, a socializing rite of passage that determines entrance into womanhood, and a physical feature that enhances sexual pleasure (Grassivaro Gallo & Villa, 2006;Koster & Price, 2008;Fusaschi, 2010Fusaschi, , 2012Martínez Pérez & Namulondo, 2011;Martínez Pérez, Tomáz Aznar & Bagnol, 2013).…”

“…One of the vaginal practices that women engage in is labia minora elongation (hereafter LME). LME is common among women of some linguistic groups in easthern and southern Africa (Grassivaro Gallo & Villa, 2006;Martínez Pérez & Namulondo, 2011;Martínez Pérez, Tomás Aznar & Bagnol, 2013). This vaginal practice involves the manual stretching of the inner folds of the external genitalia, the labia minora, and sometimes the clitoris, often with the aid of certain oils, crèmes and utensils.…”

“…Qualitative research has been conducted in Democratic Republic of Congo (Grassivaro Gallo, Mbuyi & Bertoletti, 2010), Lesotho (Khau, 2012), Malawi (Grassivaro Gallo, Moro & Manganoni, 2009;Pétursdóttir, 2010), Mozambique (Bagnol & Mariano, 2008, Rwanda (Koster & Price, 2008;Fusaschi, 2010Fusaschi, , 2012, and Uganda (Grassivaro Gallo & Villa, 2006;Martínez Pérez & Namulondo, 2011). The risks and benefits for the health of women who practice LME are, however, still under-explored.…”