Predictors of female genital cutting among university students in northern Nigeria

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.