Interrogating female genital mutilation and multiple sexual partnerships among young people in south-west Nigeria: Results from the 2018 Nigeria demographic and health survey

Abstract

This paper examined the relationship between Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Multiple Sexual Partnerships (MSP) among never-married young females in South-west Nigeria. The analyses for this study covered a weighted sample of 1,202 never-married young females aged 15-24 who were interviewed in the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. Descriptive and analytical methods were carried out, including multivariate Logistic Regression. The study revealed a high prevalence of FGM which was found not to be a protective factor for MSP among young females (OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 0.72-5.99) and (aOR = 3.68, 95% CI: 0.97-13.89). Also, age, level of education, wealth index and sex of household head were associated with MSP. Hence, the need for more comprehensive risk reduction strategies including sexual and reproductive health education campaigns geared towards eliminating FGM.