Female genital mutilation in Sierra Leone: forms, reliability of reported status, and accuracy of related demographic and health survey questions
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Authors
Bjälkander, Owolabi
Grant, Donald S.
Berggren, Vanja
Bathija, Heli
Almroth, Lars
Issue Date
2013-09-24
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Female Genital Mutilation , Sierra Leone , Reliability of Reported Status , Accuracy of Related Demographic , Health Survey Questions
Alternative Title
Abstract
Objective. To determine forms of female genital mutilation (FGM), assess consistency between self-reported and observed FGM status, and assess the accuracy of Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) FGM questions in Sierra Leone. Methods. This cross-sectional study, conducted between October 2010 and April 2012, enrolled 558 females aged 12–47 from eleven antenatal clinics in northeast Sierra Leone. Data on demography, FGM status, and self-reported anatomical descriptions were collected. Genital inspection confirmed the occurrence and extent of cutting. Results. All participants reported FGM status; 4 refused genital inspection. Using the WHO classification of FGM, 31.7% had type Ib; 64.1% type IIb; and 4.2% type IIc. There was a high level of agreement between reported and observed FGM prevalence (81.2% and 81.4%, resp.). There was no correlation between DHS FGM responses and anatomic extent of cutting, as 2.7% reported pricking; 87.1% flesh removal; and 1.1% that genitalia was sewn closed. Conclusion. Types I and II are the main forms of FGM, with labia majora alterations in almost 5% of cases. Self-reports on FGM status could serve as a proxy measurement for FGM prevalence but not for FGM type. The DHS FGM questions are inaccurate for determining cutting extent.
Description
Citation
Bjälkander, O., Grant, D. S., Berggren, V., Bathija, H., & Almroth, L. (2013). Female genital mutilation in sierra leone: forms, reliability of reported status, and accuracy of related demographic and health survey questions. Obstetrics and gynecology international, 2013, 680926. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/680926
Publisher
Obstetrics and Gynecology International