Prevalence and Correlates of Female Genital Mutilation in the Kassena-Nankana District of Northern Ghana
), Phillipe Adongo(2), Patricia Akeongo(3), Fred Binka(4),
(1) The Rockefeller Foundation, Nairobi,
(2) Health Research Centre, Ministry of Health, Upper East Region
(3) Health Research Centre, Ministry of Health, Upper East Region
(4) Health Research Centre, Ministry of Health, Upper East Region
Corresponding Author
Abstract
This paper studies the prevalence and correlates of female genital mutilation in the Kassena-Nankana district/Upper-East region, northern Ghana. Three surveys conducted in 1995 and 1996 are analyzed. FGM is highly prevalent in this part of Ghana: 77 percent of all women are affected. Contrary to other African populations where the practice is usually conducted on girls under age 10, Kassena-Nankana women undergo FGM when they reach puberty and are ready to get married. FGM is practised by all ethnic groups and religions. Multivariate analysis reveals lower risks among followers of monotheist religions (Christianity and Islam) while ethnicity is found to have no major effect. Schooling was found to be the most discriminating factor: not only does it delay FGM, but it also prevents it when pursued beyond the primary level. (Afr J Rep rod Health 1998;2(2): 13—24)
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