Female adolescents and the future of female genital mutilation/cutting: a report from an endemic area
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Authors
Ezeoke, Grace G.
Adeniran, Abiodun S.
Adesina, Kikelomo T.
Fawole, Adegboyega A.
Ijaiya, Munirdeen A.
Olarinoye, Adebunmi O.
Issue Date
2021-12
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Female Genital Mutilation , Female Genital Cutting , Female Circumcision , Harmful Traditional Practices , Adverse Childhood Experiences
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background:
Despite collaborative efforts aimed at its eradication, Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) continues in 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.
Description
Citation
Ezeoke, G. G., Adeniran, A. S., Adesina, K. T., Fawole, A. A., Ijaiya, M. A., & Olarinoye, A. O. (2021). Female adolescents and the future of female genital mutilation/cutting: a report from an endemic area. African health sciences, 21(4), 1808–1816. https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v21i4.38
Publisher
African Health Sciences