ABSTRACT
Objectives: To determine the prevalence, predictors, of female genital mutilation (FGM) among infants
and ascertain if their mothers knew what was done to them in Birnin Kudu northern Nigeria.
Methods: Cross sectional study which utilised a pretested interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire
to assess occurrence of FGM with physical examination of the infants. Logistic regression analysis
was used to assess the relative effect of determinants, after adjusting for other predictor variables.
Results: Of the 450 infants, 215(47.8%) (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 43.1%–52.5%) had experienced one
form of FGM. The ages at genital mutilation ranged from 1 to 50 days with a median of 4 days and
interquartile range of 7 days. Maternal occupation, education and religion and type of facility accessed
were significantly associated with occurrence of FGM in infants (p ? 0.05). After controlling for confounders,
having a mother without formal education [AOR = 6.39 and 95% CI = 3.99–10.23] (p = 0.001)
and one who was employed [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.89 and 95% CI = 1.66–5.03] (p = 0.001) increased
the likelihood of infant FGM remarkably while utilising tertiary institution for health care reduced
the risk by about half [AOR = 0.49 and 95% CI = 0.26–0.92] (p = 0.03). Of the 215 infants that had undergone
FGM, there was correlation between the reported and the observed forms of FGM in 16 (7.4%) of
the cases.
Conclusion: The prevalence of FGM is high with mothers’ educational status, type of health facility utilised
and occupational status being predictors of FGM among infants in Birnin Kudu. Majority of the mothers
are not aware of what was done. Strategies aimed at discouraging this dangerous practice in the community
should include female education, involvement of the men as husbands, fathers, traditional and
religious leaders.