MULTINOMIAL LOGISTIC REGRESSION ANALYSIS OF FACTORS THAT DETERMINE CONTINUITY OF FEMALE CIRCUMCISION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The practice of female circumcision is common in Asia and Sub Saharan-Africa. A law against its practice in some States in Nigeria appeared no effective as the practice continued particularly in the Southern part of the country. The aim of this study is to assess the factors that determine its practice in Nigeria and identify possible underlying motives that may help in attitudinal change. Data from 33,385 women and 15,483 men aged 15 - 59 years who participated in 2008 NDHS were analysed retrospectively. The study investigated the attitude of women towards continuity of female circumcision in the six geopolitical Zones of Nigeria. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression models were used to summarise the data and determine risk factors. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to rank the factors obtained. The findings showed variations in female circumcision across location, ethnic group, region, wealth status, and education. The result of analysis revealed that there exists a statistical significance between geographical political zones and ethnicity with discontinuity of female circumcision It was observed from the analysis that people from North Central zones were 3.6 times more likely to discontinue female circumcision as compare to those from the South - South, this association is statistically significant [OR=3.685, 95%CI=2.69-5.04, p<0.05]. Yorubas were 1.5 times more likely to continue female circumcision as compared to other ethnic groups [OR=l . 548, 95%C. I=l.15-2.09 p<0. 05]. The study concluded that attitude towards continuity of the practice did not associate significantly with level of education and location of the practicing communities but varies according to the individual perception.