Economic burden of female genital mutilation in 27 high-prevalence countries

Abstract

BackgroundFemale genital mutilation (FGM) is a traditional harmful practice affecting 200 million women and girls globally. Health complications of FGM occur immediately and over time, and are associated with healthcare costs that are poorly understood. Quantifying the global FGM-related burden is essential for supporting programmes and policies for prevention and mitigation.MethodsHealth complications of FGM are derived from a meta-analysis and stratified by acute, uro-gynaecological, obstetric and psychological/sexual. Treatment costs are calculated from national cohort models of 27 high-burden countries over 30 years. Savings associated with full/partial abandonment are compared with a current incidence reference scenario, assuming no changes in FGM practices.ResultsOur model projects an increasing burden of FGM due to population growth. As a reference scenario assuming no change in practices, prevalent cases in 27 countries will rise from 119.4 million (2018) to 205.8 million (2047). Full abandonment could reduce this to 80.0 million (2047), while partial abandonment is insufficient to reduce cases. Current incidence economic burden is US$1.4 billion/year, rising to US$2.1 billion/year in 2047. Full abandonment would reduce the future burden to US$0.8 billion/year by 2047.ConclusionFGM is a human rights violation, a public health issue and a substantial economic burden that can be avoided through effective prevention strategies. While decreasing trends are observed in some countries, these trends are variable and not consistently observed across settings. Additional resources are needed to prevent FGM to avoid human suffering and growing costs. The findings of this study warrant increased political commitment and investment in the abandonment of FGM.

The global prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting: A systematic review and meta-analysis of national, regional, facility, and school-based studies

“…However, the procedure has no health benefits and has resulted in negative health outcomes, including menstrual difficulties, infertility, urinary problems, mental health problems, pregnancy complications, severe pain, infection, septicemia, and even death [ 8 – 10 ]. FGM/C is also an economic burden throughout the life course for women and girls [ 11 ].…”

Turning the tide on female genital mutilation in a high prevalence country: a programmatic data analysis for Sudan’s comprehensive health sector response, 2016–2018

“…2 FGM violates girls’ and women’s rights to health and physical integrity, causing immediate, short-term and long-term genitourinary, sexual and psychological health complications 3 with an estimated annual healthcare economic cost of US$1.4 billion. 4 Traditional practitioners have been mainly performing FGM; however, there is an increasing trend of involvement of healthcare providers, 5 also known as ‘FGM medicalisation’. 1 This trend is alarming because it violates the medical code of conduct of ‘do no harm’, endorses the practice and creates a false perception of safety, undermining FGM abandonment efforts.…”

“…Globally, over 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM and over 3 million girls are estimated to be at risk annually 2. FGM violates girls’ and women’s rights to health and physical integrity, causing immediate, short-term and long-term genitourinary, sexual and psychological health complications3 with an estimated annual healthcare economic cost of US$1.4 billion 4. Traditional practitioners have been mainly performing FGM; however, there is an increasing trend of involvement of healthcare providers,5 also known as ‘FGM medicalisation’ 1.…”

The global prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting: A systematic review and meta-analysis of national, regional, facility and school-based studies

“…However, the procedure has no health benefits; it has resulted in negative health outcomes, including menstrual difficulties, infertility, urinary problems, mental health problems, pregnancy and labour complications severe pain, risk of contracting infections, septicaemia, and even death [9][10][11]. FGM/C is also an economic burden throughout the life course for girls and women [12]. FGM/C is most often performed on girls between infancy and adolescence, and has been classified into four types [13].…”