Open AccessFemale adolescents and the future of female genital mutilation/cutting: a report from an endemic area
Author(s) -
Grace G Ezeoke,
Abiodun S Adeniran,
Kikelomo T Adesina,
Adegboyega A Fawole,
Munirdeen A Ijaiya,
Adebunmi O Olarinoye
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
african health sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.391
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1729-0503
pISSN - 1680-6905
DOI - 10.4314/ahs.v21i4.38
Subject(s) - medicine , female circumcision , preparedness , girl , family medicine , informed consent , demography , psychiatry , gynecology , psychology , alternative medicine , developmental psychology , pathology , sociology , political science , law
Background: Despite collaborative efforts aimed at its eradication, Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) continuesin endemic areas.
Objective: To evaluate the experience and preparedness of female adolescents to protect their future daughters from FGM/C.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving adolescent secondary school girls in North Central Nigeria. Participants were secondary school students who completed the study’s self-administered questionnaire after informed parental or participant’s consent. Data management was with SPSS 20.0 (IBM, USA), P-value <0.05 was significant.
Results: There were 2000 participants aged 13-19 years (mean 15.56±1.75), prevalence of FGM/C was 35.0%, awareness was 86.1%, mutilation was performed between infancy and eight years of age (mean 3.85±3.24 years), 644(32.2%) desire to mutilatetheir future daughters, 722(36.1%) expressed support for FGM/C and 63.1% of victims of FM/C reported adverse post-mutilation experiences. Support for FGM/C was associated with low social class (P0.0010), opinion that FGM/C has benefit (P0.001) and desire to mutilate future daughters (P0.001) while awareness of efforts to eradicate FMG/C was 813(40.7%).
Conclusion: FGM/C remains prevalent with potential support for its continuation among female adolescents despite reported adverse post-mutilation experiences. The multi-pronged approach to eradicate FGM/C should prioritize re-orientation for adolescent girls, rehabilitation of mutilated girls and girl child formal education.
Keywords: Female genital mutilation/cutting; female circumcision, harmful traditional practices, adverse childhood experiences.