Perception and Attitudes of Female Genital Mutilation Among Reproductive-Age Women in Selected Primary Health Centres in Dekina Local Government Area, Kogi State, Nigeria

Authors: Amosa Ramat Ayodeji; Ajide Oluwakemi Omolade; Olatunbosun Alice Kehinde; Haruna Orengwu Deborah

Affiliation: Department of Maternal and Child Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Alhikmah University, Ilorin, Nigeria

Corresponding Author: [email protected]

June 10, 2026

SIAR-Global Journal of Medicine & Pharmaceutical Review

Zenodo DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20631028

Crossref DOI: 10.66694/siar.gjmpr2026003

Perception and Attitudes of Female Genital Mutilation Among Reproductive-Age Women in Selected Primary Health Centres in Dekina Local Government Area, Kogi State, Nigeria

Research Article Medicine

Abstract

Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) remains a major public health and human rights concern despite ongoing global and national efforts to eliminate the practice. This study assessed perceptions and attitudes toward FGM among reproductive-age women attending selected primary health centres (PHCs) in Dekina Local Government Area (LGA), Kogi State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 378 women aged 15–49 years attending selected PHCs. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, awareness, knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, FGM experience, and exposure to health education. Associations with anti-FGM attitudes were examined using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression. Awareness of FGM was high (83.9%), but only 51.1% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge. Most respondents had favourable perceptions (86.5%) and anti-FGM attitudes (86.0%). Self-reported FGM prevalence was 31.0%, while 10.0% of respondents with daughters reported daughter cutting. Independent predictors of good antiFGM attitude included good knowledge (AOR=4.18, 95% CI: 1.36–12.84), good perception (AOR=3.54, 95% CI: 1.60–7.82), awareness of legal prohibition (AOR=3.75, 95% CI: 1.2711.07), and higher educational attainment (AOR=1.56, 95% CI: 1.06–2.29). Receipt of FGM health education was not significant after adjustment. Although attitudes toward FGM abandonment were largely positive, knowledge gaps and continued daughter cutting indicate that awareness alone is insufficient to eliminate the practice. Strengthening PHC-based counselling, legal awareness, and culturally sensitive community education may promote sustained FGM abandonment.

Keywords

Female genital mutilation, perception, attitude, reproductive-age women, primary health care, Nigeria

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Amosa Ramat Ayodeji; Ajide Oluwakemi Omolade; Olatunbosun Alice Kehinde; Haruna Orengwu Deborah (2026). Perception and Attitudes of Female Genital Mutilation Among Reproductive-Age Women in Selected Primary Health Centres in Dekina Local Government Area, Kogi State, Nigeria. SIAR-Global Journal of Medicine & Pharmaceutical Review, Vol. 2, No. 1. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20631028

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Perception and Attitudes of Female Genital Mutilation Among Reproductive-Age Women in Selected Primary Health Centres in Dekina Local Government Area, Kogi State, Nigeria

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