• Grace G Ezeoke, Abiodun S Adeniran, Kikelomo T Adesina, Adegboyega A Fawole, Munirdeen A Ijaiya, and Adebunmi O Olarinoye.
• Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Ilorin/ University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
• Afr Health Sci. 2021 Dec 1; 21 (4): 1808-1816.

BackgroundDespite collaborative efforts aimed at its eradication, Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) continues in endemic areas.ObjectiveTo evaluate the experience and preparedness of female adolescents to protect their future daughters from FGM/C.MethodsA cross-sectional survey involving adolescent secondary school girls in North Central Nigeria. Participants were secondary school students who completed the study's self-administered questionnaire after informed parental or participant's consent. Data management was with SPSS 20.0 (IBM, USA), P-value <0.05 was significant.ResultsThere were 2000 participants aged 13-19 years (mean 15.56±1.75), prevalence of FGM/C was 35.0%, awareness was 86.1%, mutilation was performed between infancy and eight years of age (mean 3.85±3.24 years), 644(32.2%) desire to mutilatetheir future daughters, 722(36.1%) expressed support for FGM/C and 63.1% of victims of FM/C reported adverse post-mutilation experiences. Support for FGM/C was associated with low social class (P0.0010), opinion that FGM/C has benefit (P0.001) and desire to mutilate future daughters (P0.001) while awareness of efforts to eradicate FMG/C was 813(40.7%).ConclusionFGM/C remains prevalent with potential support for its continuation among female adolescents despite reported adverse post-mutilation experiences. The multi-pronged approach to eradicate FGM/C should prioritize re-orientation for adolescent girls, rehabilitation of mutilated girls and girl child formal education.© 2021 Ezeoke GG et al.

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