Correlates of female genital mutilation (FGM) among patients of a teaching hospital in Nigeria

Abstract

The efforts to combat female genital mutilation (FGM) may not avail much if the factors promoting it are not well understood. An observer rated instrument consisting of socio-demographic variables and items concerning female genital mutilation drawn from Demographic and Health Survey and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey was administered on 300 consecutive patients at the General practice Clinic of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Increasing age, ethnicity and lower educational status were significantly associated with the practice of FGM. Religion did not show any association with it. Female education is pivotal to the eradication of FGM.

Keywords: Socio-demographic, correlate, female genital mutilation, circumcision