PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION IN SIERRA LEONE, 2024

Abstract

Background: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a major public health problem in Sierra Leone. However, its prevalence and related factors are not documented. We conducted this study to determine the prevalence and factors associated with FGM in Sierra Leone.

Method: We used the FGM data of Sierra Leone, 2017, extracted from the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund multiple indicator cluster survey. We conducted descriptive analysis to determine the frequencies and proportion of demographic and female circumcision variables. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to determine the association between circumcision and explanatory variables.

Result: Of the 18,194 women aged 18-49 years surveyed, 84.7% (15,406) were married, 69.4% (12,630) lived in rural areas, and 71.8% (13,062) had pre-primary education. The prevalence of FGM was 96.7% (17,598) among women aged 18-49 years, and 99.7% (18139) of the respondents have heard of FGM. Of the circumcised women, 82% (14,409) were living in rural areas and 97.9% (17,225) had no functional difficulty as a result of female circumcision.  In Multivariable binary logistic regression, high level of education (aOR= 5.4, 95% CI:4.81, 7.06) and p-value ˂0.001), single women (aOR= 3.0, 95% CI:2.54, 3.82) and p-value ˂0.001), and richest women (aOR= 2.2, 95% CI:1.51, 3.59) and p-value ˂0.001) were factors associated with FGM.

Conclusion: We found a high prevalence of FGM in Sierra Leone. FGM is prevalent among single women, rich in the wealth index women, and women with high education levels. We recommend developing policies, community sensitization, and including FGM in school curricula to end FGM in Sierra Leone.

 Keywords: Female genital mutilation; Prevalence; Public Health; Multivariable binary regression models; Surveys and questionnaires, Sierra Leone