Abstract

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is estimated to have been practiced on at least 200 million girls and women in 30 countries around the world. Clitoridoctomy is the most common type of FGM in Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to assess the magnitude of Female Genital Mutilation and associated factors among women’s in Damot Gale Woreda of Wolayita zone. A quantitative community-based cross-sectional study was used. Face-to-face interviews with prepared questionnaires were used to collect data. SPSS version 20 software was used to analyze the data. The prevalence of FGM was determined using descriptive statistics. The researchers utilized a bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model to find independent determinants of FGM. 296 women were circumcised out of a total of 333, indicating that FGM is prevalent in the research area (88.9%). Mother education (AOR: 0.454, 95% CI: 0.209-0.984), age (AOR-1.86, 95% CI: 0.42-0.98)), knowledge that FGM causes health problems (AOR: 0.356, 95% CI: 0.145-0.877), and support for tradition (AOR: 14.595, 95% CI: 3.391-6.807) were all independently linked to FGM. Prevalence of FGM was associated with age, education, knowledge of health problems and tradition.

Key words: Associated factors, female genital mutilation (FGM), prevalence, Wolayita zone.