A study of factors influencing female genital mutilation among infants in Mali

Abstract

Introduction: Female genital mutilation encompasses all procedures which entail partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical purposes (WHO, 2016). WHO (2016) indicated that there are four types of FGM including clitoridectomy, excision, infibulations, and type four which is unclassified. FGM has long been considered as a violation of sexual reproductive and health rights for both girls and women as this cultural practice is associated with high health implications such as excessive bleeding, difficulty in urine passing as well as death of new-borns. Nonetheless, female genital mutilation varies according to age amongst different tribes in Africa. In Mali, this cultural practice is commonly practised among infants before their first birthday. However, the primary aim of this study is to study factors influencing female genital mutilation among infants in Mali. Methodology: The data which was utilized in this study was sourced from the 2018 Mali Demographic and Health Survey. The 2018 Mali Demographic and Health Survey is the 6th DHS conducted in Mali since 1987 and it is a national survey designed to provide data for monitoring population and health status for Malian population. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 and three approaches namely univariate (frequency distribution), bivariate (Cross Tabulation and Chi-Square test) and multivariate (Binary Logistic Regression) analysis were employed. The significance differences were determined using P<0.05. Results: The study revealed that there is a strong association (P=0.00) between FGM and employment status as majority of unemployed women who had their infants circumcised contributed highest percentages (63.7%) of having their infants circumcised. However, using binary logistic regression, it was observed that there is a strong relationship between female genital mutilation and women who were residing in Koulikoro (P=0.00) as they were 14 times likely to have their infants mutilated compared to women who were residing in Bamako whereas women who were residing in Segou were 10 times likely to have their daughters circumcised compared to women who residing in Bamako. In addition, based on the binary logistic regression, the study has shown that there is a strong relationship between women who were residing in Mopti (P=0.03) as they were 3 times likely to have their infants circumcised compared to women residing in Bamako. The study also revealed that there is a strong correlation between female genital mutilation and never married women (P=0.04) although never married women were less likely to have their infants circumcised. Conclusion: Female genital mutilation continues to remain a cultural belief as the practice is deeply rooted in cultural standards and this cultural practice is observed as a social mark which promotes social cohesion and assist infants to be culturally accepted by their ancestors, hence majority of women have their infants circumcised. In Mali, the belief of practising FGM remains unquestioned, as women who do not take their infants for this cultural practice are seen as a disgrace within society. As such, majority of women are subjected to take their infants for this cultural practice, without taking into account health implications associated with female genital mutilation. Therefore, it remains unreasonable doubt that Malian government has to take applicable steps to implement resilient educational programs and policies to eradicate this cultural practice.