Table 2

Determinants of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) among girls and infants

LevelDeterminantRisk factorProtective effectNot statistically significant
UnadjustedAdjustedUnadjustedAdjustedUnadjustedAdjusted
Parental factorsMother’s increased age1 study45 3 studies17 35 38 1 study66 3 studies39 59 64 1 study55
Increased wealth1 study59 1 study17 3 studies18 39 64 3 studies22 38 66
Muslim3 studies18 57 59 3 studies22 35 39 1 study46 2 studies23 66
Maternal education (high)1 study66 6 studies17 23 25 45 59 69 8 studies22 24 26 35 38 44 55 57 2 studies39 64
Paternal education (high)4 studies23 25 45 69 2 studies44 55 2 studies46 64 2 studies22 24
Mother subjected to FGM/C1 study59 2 studies17 35 1 study66 1 study39
Mother’s occupation (employed)1 study57 3 studies25 59 64 4 studies23 38 39 44
Father’s occupation (employed) 1 study25 1 study64 2 studies23 44
Mother’s marital status (currently married)1 study69*1 study39 2 studies38 55
Mother’s knowledge on FGM/C (high)1 study25 1 study38 2 studies55 65
Mother’s support of FGM/C continuation3 studies17 38 39 1 study66
HouseholdOther family members subjected to FGM/C1 study44
CommunityFGM/C is required by religion2 studies22 25 1 study39
Urban region1 study59 4 studies23 38 55 58 2 studies39 46 2 studies22 44
  • Studies22–25 have overlapping age groups.

  • *Higher odds ratio for married versus single or divorced (excluding widowed).