Prevalence and factors associated with female genital mutilation among women of reproductive age in the Bawku municipality and Pusiga District of northern Ghana (2018)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Sakeah,E.,Debpuur,C.,Oduro,A. R.,Welaga,P.,Aborigo,R.,Sakeah,J. K.,& Moyer,C. A
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: The aim of the study was to determine circumcision status of women of reproductive age and factors associated with it in the Bawku Municipality and Pusiga District of northern Ghana.
Study Population: Women of reproductive age (15-49)
Findings: Sixty-one percent of respondents reported having had FGM. 66 percent of circumcised individuals claimed their mothers affected their decision. Three-quarters of women believe that FGM can be prevented through health education. Women residing in the Pusiga area with no formal education were more likely to be circumcised than those residing in the Bawku Municipality between the ages of 15 and 24 with higher education. Similarly,married women were more likely than unmarried women to have been circumcised. Age and marital status were related with FGM in Bawku,while age,marital status,and women’s education were connected with FGM in Pusiga. Female Genital Mutilation is still practiced in the northern Ghanaian municipalities of Bawku and Pusiga,mainly among women of low socioeconomic standing. Implementing programs that provide health education to communities and promote the secondary education of girls could help end the practice.
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Western Africa
Country(ies):Ghana