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Pan-African Journal Of Medicine Original Research
Does Literacy influence Socio-cultural Determinants of Female Gender Mutilation? A Community Study in Southern Nigeria Emaediong Akpanekpo, Ekaette Umoessien 2
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Odessa National Medical University, Odessa, Ukraine
Address for correspondence: Dr. Emaediong Ibong Akpanekpo Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Uyo, PMB 1017, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. E-mail:
[email protected]
ABSTRACT
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Background: The practice of FGM is heavily predicated on its socio-cultural determinants which could be influenced by the extent of female literacy. Objective: To explore the effect of female literacy on the socio-cultural determinants of Female Gender Mutilation in Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria. Methodology: This is a community based cross sectional survey conducted between June 2015 and December 2016 among 1452 women randomly selected using a proportionate stratified random sampling method from twelve communities distributed across Akwa Ibom State. They were interviewed using a structured interviewer-assisted questionnaire after signing an informed consent and was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 21. Results: On bivariate association there was significant association between the level of literacy and socio-cultural determinants of FGM explored in this study. However, multivariable analysis showed significant associations between – primary level of education and the notion that FGM is a ‘rite of passage’ into womanhood [99%CI ; AOR= 6.12 (5.07- 6.88); p value
