A spatial analysis of the prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting among 0–14-year-old girls in Kenya
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Authors
Kandala, Ngianga-Bakwin
Nnanatu, Chibuzor Christopher
Atilola, Glory
Komba, Paul
Mavatikua, Lubanzadio
Moore, Zhuzhi
Mackie, Gerry
Shell-Duncan4, Bettina
Issue Date
2019-10-28
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
FGM/C , Spatial Modelling and Mapping , Social Norms , Space-Time Interactions
Alternative Title
Abstract
Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), also known as female circumcision, is a global public health and human rights problem affecting women and girls. Several concerted efforts to eliminate the practice are underway in several sub-Saharan African countries where the practice is most prevalent. Studies have reported variations in the practice with some countries experiencing relatively slow decline in prevalence. This study investigates the roles of normative influences and related risk factors (e.g., geographic location) on the persistence of FGM/C among 0–14 years old girls in Kenya. The key objective is to identify and map hotspots (high risk regions). We fitted spatial and spatio-temporal models in a Bayesian hierarchical regression framework on two datasets extracted from successive Kenya Demographic and Health Surveys (KDHS) from 1998 to 2014. The models were implemented in R statistical software using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques for parameters estimation, while model fit and assessment employed deviance information criterion (DIC) and effective sample size (ESS). Results showed that daughters of cut women were highly likely to be cut. Also, the likelihood of a girl being cut increased with the proportion of women in the community (1) who were cut (2) who supported FGM/C continuation, and (3) who believed FGM/C was a religious obligation. Other key risk factors included living in the northeastern region; belonging to the Kisii or Somali ethnic groups and being of Muslim background. These findings offered a clearer picture of the dynamics of FGM/C in Kenya and will aid targeted interventions through bespoke policymaking and implementations.
Description
Citation
Kandala, N. B., Nnanatu, C. C., Atilola, G., Komba, P., Mavatikua, L., Moore, Z., Mackie, G., & Shell-Duncan, B. (2019). A Spatial Analysis of the Prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting among 0-14-Year-Old Girls in Kenya. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(21), 4155. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16214155
Publisher
International Journal of Environmental Research And Public Health