Female genital mutilation: prevalence, associated factors and health consequences among reproductive age group women in Keffa Zone, Southwest, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Female genital mutilation is procedure involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for cultural or non-therapeutic reasons. Despite of global concerns, awareness, and campaigns, the prevalence of female genital mutilation remains high in many countries. OBJECTIVE: To assess female genital mutilation: prevalence, associated factors, and health consequences among reproductive age group women in Keffa Zone, Southwest, Ethiopia. METHODS: A community based cross-sectional study design was employed from March 01 to April 30, 2019. We used a multi stage sampling. Finally, using simple random sampling technique, we selected four Woredas. Consequently, after clustering kebeles, all mothers with daughter/s younger than 15 years and live in clustered kebeles were interviewed. Data were entered into Epi data and exported to SPSS version 23.0. Variables with P-value of less than 0.25 in binary logistic regression analyses were entered into the multivariable logistic regression analysis. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to determine associations between dependent and independent variables. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Almost all, 729 (97.2%) of mothers expressed that they heard about female circumcision. However, less than one-fourth, 159 (21.2%) of mothers were circumcised. Among those 159 women ever circumcised, 52 (32.7%) reported that they experienced the complication of female genital mutilation.The prevalence of female genital mutilation of daughters’ younger than 15 years was 12 (1.6%). Rural residence [AOR 6.74, 95% CI (2.70–16.85)], being Muslim and Protestant follower by their religion [AOR 0.19, 95% CI (0.07–0.53] and [AOR 0.54, 95% CI (0.30–0.98)] respectively and occupational status of the husband; Merchant [AOR 7.29; 95% CI (3.66–14.51)], Daily laborer[AOR 2.70, 95% CI (1.14–6.40)] and others (drivers and students) [AOR 6.70, 95% CI (1.55–28.95] were statistically significantly associated with female genital mutilation. CONCLUSION: In this study, prevalence of female genital mutilation practice among daughters and women of reproductive group was low as compared to a national data. However, that much magnitude still seeks attention as Ethiopia planned to end the practice. Religion, place of residence, and occupational status of the husband were statistically significantly associated with female genital mutilation. Therefore, any strategy to end up the practice better considers dimension of all these variables.