Peer-reviewed article
Secular trends in the prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting among girls: a systematic analysis
Ngianga‐Bakwin Kandala, Martinsixtus C. Ezejimofor, Olalekan Abdulrahman Uthman, Paul Nzinga Komba ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This systematic analysis examined trends in female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) prevalence among girls aged 0-14 years across 29 countries in Africa and Western Asia from 1990 to 2017, using data from 208,195 children. The study found significant regional variation in both prevalence levels and rates of decline. East Africa experienced the fastest decline, from 71.4% in 1995 to 8.0% in 2016, while North and West Africa showed slower decreases. Overall, the analysis provides evidence of substantial progress in reducing FGM/C practice across regions, though high prevalence persists in some areas.
Key points
- Prevalence of FGM/C among children aged 0-14 varied greatly between and within countries over the survey periods
- East Africa experienced the fastest decline at 7.3% per year (1995-2014), compared to 4.4% in North Africa and 3.0% in West Africa
- In East Africa, prevalence fell from 71.4% (1995) to 8.0% (2016); in North Africa from 57.7% (1990) to 14.1% (2015); in West Africa from 73.6% (1996) to 25.4% (2017)
- Analysis included 90 surveys from 29 countries across Africa and two countries in Western Asia
- Authors conclude there is evidence of huge and significant decline but emphasize need to sustain comprehensive intervention efforts in regions still showing high prevalence
Limitations
The study relies on DHS and MICS survey data which may have varying quality and completeness across countries and time periods. The analysis covers prevalence trends but does not evaluate specific interventions or their effectiveness in driving the observed declines.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Current evidence on the decline in the prevalence of female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) has been lacking worldwide. This study analyses the prevalence estimates and secular trends in FGM/C over sustained periods (ie, 1990-2017). Its aim is to provide analytical evidence on the changing prevalence of FGM/C over time among girls aged 0-14 years and examine geographical variations in low-income and middle-income countries. METHODS: Analysis on the shift in prevalence of FGM/C was undertaken using the Demographic Health Survey (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) data sets from Africa and Middle East. A random-effects model was used to derive overall prevalence estimates. Using Poisson regression models, we conducted time trends analyses on the FGM/C prevalence estimates between 1990 and 2017. FINDINGS: We included 90 DHS and MICS data sets for 208 195 children (0-14 years) from 29 countries spread across Africa and two countries in Western Asia. The prevalence of FGM/C among children varied greatly between countries and regions and also within countries over the survey periods. The percentage decline in the prevalence of FGM/C among children aged 0-14 years old was highest in East Africa, followed by North and West Africa. The prevalence decreased from 71.4% in 1995 to 8.0% in 2016 in East Africa. In North Africa, the prevalence decreased from 57.7% in 1990 to 14.1% in 2015. In West Africa, the prevalence decreased from 73.6% in 1996 to 25.4% in 2017. The results of the trend analysis showed a significant shift downwards in the prevalence of FGM/C among children aged 0-14 years in such regions and subregions of East Africa, North Africa and West Africa. East Africa has experienced a much faster decrease in the prevalence of the practice (trend=-7.3%, 95% CI -7.5% to -7.1%) per year from 1995 to 2014. By contrast, the decline in prevalence has been much slower in North Africa (trend=-4.4%, 95% CI -4.5% to -4.3%) and West Africa (trend=-3.0%, 95% CI -3.1% to -2.9%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of FGM/C among children aged 0-14 years varied greatly between countries and regions and also within countries over the survey periods. There is evidence of huge and significant decline in the prevalence of FGM/C among children across countries and regions. There is a need to sustain comprehensive intervention efforts and further targeted efforts in countries and regions still showing high prevalence of FGM/C among children, where the practice is still pervasive.