Female Genital Cutting: current practices and beliefs in Western Africa (2012)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Heather L SipsmaI,Peggy G ChenI,Angela Ofori-AttaII,Ukwuoma O IlozumbaIII,Kapouné KarfoIV,Elizabeth H BradleyI
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: To conduct a cross-national comparative study of the prevalence and correlates of female Genital Cutting (FGC) practices and beliefs in western Africa
Study Population: Women
Findings: The prevalence of FGC was high overall but varied substantially across countries in western Africa. In Sierra Leone,Gambia,Burkina Faso and Mauritania,the prevalence of FGC was 94%,79%,74% and 72%,respectively,whereas in Ghana,Niger and Togo prevalence was less than 6%. Older age and being Muslim were generally associated with increased odds of FGC,and higher education was associated with lower odds of FGC. The association between FGC and wealth varied considerably. Burkina Faso was the only country in our study that experienced a dramatic reduction in FGC prevalence from women (74%) to their daughters (25%); only 14.2% of the women surveyed in that country said that they believe the practice should continue.
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Western Africa
Country(ies):Burkina Faso,Côte d’Ivoire,Gambia,Ghana,Guinea-Bissau,Mauritania,Niger,Nigeria,Sierra Leone,Togo