Prevalence, Socio-economic Factors and Correlates of Mother-to-Daughter Female Genital Cutting in Nigeria

Background: Female genital cutting (FGC) causes permanent harm to women and the girl child. It is a threat to women’s bodily integrity and a violation of their fundamental human rights. Nigerians still engage in this high-risk behaviour even though it is on the decline. Aims: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of mother-to-daughter FGC and associated factors. Materials and Methods: A sample of 10,568 women who reported mother-to-daughter FGC from the 2018 Nigeria demographic and health survey were analysed. The prevalence of this outcome variable was estimated using percentages. The multivariable binary logit model was used to examine its associated factors. Results: The weighted prevalence of mother-to-daughter FGC was 15.0%. Women having secondary or tertiary education had 27% reduction in the odds of mother-to-daughter FGC when compared with those with no formal education or primary. Non-poor women had 28% reduction in the odds of mother-to-daughter FGC when compared with poor women. Older women had higher odds of mother-to-daughter FGC when compared with mothers aged 15–19 years. Islamic women had 2.80 times higher odds of mother-to-daughter FGC when compared with Christian women. Those who are covered by health insurance had 51% reduction in the odds of mother-to-daughter FGC when compared with uninsured women. Ever-married women and those employed had higher odds of mother-to-daughter FGC when compared with single and unemployed women. Respondents who watch television or use the internet had 27% and 61% reduction in the odds of mother-to-daughter FGC when compared with those who do not watch television or use the internet, respectively. Conclusion: The practice of mother-to-daughter FGC still persists in Nigeria. There is a need to implement multifaceted interventions such as educational programmes targeting women of low socio-economic status. Mother-to-daughter FGC can be addressed through empowerment.