Comparison of FGM prevalence among Nigerian women aged 15–49 years using two household surveys conducted before and after the COVID-19 pandemic

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BACKGROUND: Due to its economic burden and change of focus, there is no gainsaying of the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the progress of several female genital mutilation (FGM) interventions across the various countries. However, the magnitude of the potential changes in likelihood and prevalence should be more accurately explored and quantified using a statistically robust comparative study. In this study, we examined the differences in the likelihood and prevalence of FGM among 15-49 years old women before and after the pandemic in Nigeria. METHODS: We used advanced Bayesian hierarchical models to analyse post-COVID-19 datasets provided by the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS 2021) and pre-COVID-19 data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS 2018). RESULTS: Results indicated that although there was an overall decline in FGM prevalence nationally, heterogeneities exist at state level and at individual-/community-level characteristics. There was a 6.9% increase in prevalence among women who would like FGM to continue within the community. FGM prevalence increased by 18.9% in Nasarawa, while in Kaduna there was nearly 40% decrease. CONCLUSIONS: Results show that FGM is still a social norm issue in Nigeria and that it may have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The methods, data and outputs from this study would serve to provide accurate statistical evidence required by policymakers for complete eradication of FGM.

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