Female Circumcision in Nigeria, Prevalence and Attitudes

Abstract

Nigeria is one of the countries in Africa where female circumcision is widely practiced. Information about the prevalence and attitudes towards its practice and predictors associated with its support were collected from the 2005 National HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey (NARHS) on females aged 15-49 and males aged 15-64 years. The prevalence of female circumcision is more in the southern part of Nigeria than the Northern part, with South West and South East recording the highest percentages. There is a marked decrease of the practice in the younger age cohorts compared to the older age cohorts. As the level of education increases, the likelihood of supporting the practice of female circumcision reduces and regular use of media of communication such as radio and television is an influential factor against the practice of female circumcision in Nigeria.