Economic burden of female genital mutilation in 27 high-prevalence countries (2021)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Tordrup D,Bishop C,Green N,Petzold M,Vallejo FR,Vogel JP and Pallitto C
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: Health complications of FGM are derived from a meta-analysis and stratified by acute,uro-gynaecological,obstetric and psychological/sexual.
Objective: This study estimates the economic burden of FGM and the potential benefits of fully or partially abandoning the practice in 27 high-burden countries. This is achieved by determining the incremental risk of health complications in affected girls and women attributable to FGM; determining the costs of healthcare interventions for managing these complications; and estimating the avoidable cost from fully or partially abandoning the practice of FGM.
Study Population: N/A
Findings: The model projects an increasing burden of FGM due to population growth. As a reference scenario assuming no change in practices,prevalent cases in 27 countries will rise from 119.4 million (2018) to 205.8 million (2047). Full abandonment could reduce this to 80.0 million (2047),while partial abandonment is insufficient to reduce cases. Current incidence economic burden is US$1.4 billion/year,rising to US$2.1 billion/year in 2047. Full abandonment would reduce the future burden to US$0.8 billion/year by 2047.FGM is a human rights violation,a public health issue and a substantial economic burden that can be avoided through effective prevention strategies. While decreasing trends are observed in some countries,these trends are variable and not consistently observed across settings. Additional resources are needed to prevent FGM to avoid human suffering and growing costs. The findings of this study warrant increased political commitment and investment in the abandonment of FGM.What are the new findings?
► FGM is associated with increased risks of health
complications that can span the life course and cost
health systems an estimated 1.4 billion USD per year
if reductions in the practice are not achieved.
What do the new findings imply?
► Investment in prevention of FGM can substantially
reduce the heatlh care costs of treating its complications,prevent suffering and improve the quality
of life of women and girls at-risk of this harmful
practice.
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Western Africa,Eastern Africa,Middle Africa,Western Asia,Northern Africa
Country(ies):Benin,Burkina Faso,Central African Republic,Côte d’Ivoire,Cameroon,Chad,Djibouti,Egypt,Eritrea,Ethiopia,Ghana,Guinea,Gambia,Guinea-Bissau,Iraq,Kenya,Mali,Mauritania,Niger,Nigeria,Sudan,Senegal,Sierra Leone,Somalia,Togo,United Republic of Tanzania,Yemen