Impact of age on harm risks of Female Genital Mutilation: analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys

Simister, J (2018) Impact of age on harm risks of Female Genital Mutilation: analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys. MOJ Womens Health, 7 (1). ISSN 2475-5494

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Abstract

This paper investigates the problem of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), also known as ‘Female Genital Cutting’ or ‘female circumcision’. Evidence in this paper is based on ‘Demographic & Health Surveys’, carried out in numerous countries. It explores four of the medical problems caused by Female Genital Mutilation: excessive bleeding; infection; urination problems; and swelling. This paper focuses on the age at which the circumcision took place, and the Type of FGM. This paper confirms previous evidence that FGM is harmful. For FGM Types I and II (clitoridectomy and excision) and IV (other), victims are more vulnerable to these four problems if they are older when circumcised; whereas for FGM Type III (infibulation), victims are more at risk if they undergo FGM at a younger age. Investigations into medical responses to FGM problems are reported.