Predictors of female genital mutilation among women of reproductive age in Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Despite being promoted as a highly valued cultural practice and social norm, female genital mutilation (FGM) is internationally recognized as a gross abuse of the rights of girls and women, and it is associated with adverse health and social consequences along with huge economic costs. This study was aimed at determining the factors associated with FGM among women of reproductive age in Plateau State, Nigeria.
Methods: Analysis of secondary data obtained from the Nigeria 2016 - 17 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) dataset was done. The survey collected data on samples of women within the reproductive age group (15-49years) using a two-stage sampling technique, information was electronically captured using computerassisted personal interviewing. The dataset for Plateau State was extracted and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23.
Results: There were a total of 1172 interview entries in the dataset, however only 247 had filled responses for the question: “ever been circumcised?”, the remainder (78.9%) of the entries reflected as missing cases. The mean age of the respondents was 29.5yrs ± 9.3yrs, 63.6% were married or in a union, 86.6% ever attended school, 64.4% were dwelling in a rural area and 76.1% felt the practice of FGM should be discontinued. Forty (16.2%) respondents reported been circumcised. The odds of being circumcised were significantly higher for the younger age group (15 – 23 years), those without a formal education, belonging to a middle wealth quintile, and women wanting the practice of FGM to be continued (p ˂ 0.05).
Conclusion: A significant proportion of women of reproductive age in Plateau State are circumcised. Therefore, there is a need to further improve extant efforts addressing FGM including awareness creation on its adverse consequences especially among the younger women, the uneducated, and the poor.