ABSTRACT:*

Female genital mutilation (FGM) often referred to as "female circumcision" is still practiced around the world. Since 1997, international efforts to end FGM--which has been in practice since ancient times-- have intensified According to the World Health Organization, FGM practices are common in 30 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. However, it is also a worldwide health issue as a result of international migration. Importantly, FGM is also widely linked to psychological disorders.
The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between FGM and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among adolescent rural girls. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the authors examine a sample of 60 rural girls in Upper Egypt, between the ages of 15 and 30 years, who have undergone FGM. The study finds that there is a significant correlation between FGM and PTSD within this sample of females.