J Obstet Gynaecol. 2012 May;32(4):387-92.
Predictors of female genital cutting among university students in northern Nigeria.
Iliyasu Z, Abubakar IS, Galadanci HS, Haruna F, Aliyu MH.
Department of Community Medicine, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and Bayero University Kano, Nigeria. ziliyasu@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Female genital cutting (FGC) is a harmful cultural practice that is perpetrated against women and children. Little is known about the extent of this custom among university students in northern Nigeria. Using self-administered questionnaires, we studied the prevalence and determinants of FGC among female university students in Kano, Nigeria (n =359). The prevalence of FGC was 12.1% (95% confidence interval =8.8-15.8%). Awareness and disapproval of FGC among the study population was very high (96% and 91%, respectively). In multivariate regression models, ethnicity and geographic origin were significant predictors of female circumcision. A comprehensive legal and educational framework and the support of civil society, governments and development partners is required to address this form of gender discrimination.
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