Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111435

Susan E. Bergson, International Health and Development, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medecine, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2200, New Orleans, LA 70112, 504-988-3655, sbergson@tulane.edu and Dominique Meekers, PhD, International Health and Development, Tulane University, 1440 Canal St. Suite 2200, New Orleans, LA 70112.

Objective: In Côte d'Ivoire, marriage is an important indicator of women's status. This study will examine the extent to which female genital circumcision (FGC) affects women's marriage prospects. Data and Methods: Using data from the 1998 Côte d'Ivoire Demographic and Health Survey, we use life table analysis to assess whether timing of marriage varies by circumcision status. We then use cox regression to assess the net effect of circumcision status on the relative risk of marriage after controlling for religion, ethnicity, education, and other factors. Results: Life table analyses show that circumcised women marry earlier than uncircumcised women. For example, 7.2% of uncircumcised women and 15.5% of circumcised women are married by age 15. By age 19, this increases to 34.5% and 55.7%, respectively. Cox regression shows that after controls, the marriage hazard is 1.21 times higher for circumcised than uncircumcised women. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that circumcision has a positive effect on women's chances of marriage, which is an important factor in a woman's identity. FGC prevention programs need to be sensitive to these cultural pressures. Hence, programs that promote less invasive FGC practices may be more successful than those that promote abandoning FGC altogether. Statement of purpose: Female genital circumcision spans a range of descriptions from “traditional practice” to “human rights violation”. It is also associated with marriage and a woman's “marriageability”, as FGC serves a compelling purpose in a context where a woman's social status and economic security is connected to her identity as mother and wife.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the learner will be able to

• Discuss the linkages between female genital circumcision (FGC) and marriage in Côte d’Ivoire, and
• Recognize the need for further research on the effect of FGC on women’s marriage prospects in order to inform future programs.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.