Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting and Breastfeeding Outcomes: The Modifying Effects of Healthcare Access and Women’s Attitudes to FGM/C

The prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in Nigeria is on the rise, although practice has no known medical/health benefits. This study aims to assess FGM/C’s effect breastfeeding outcomes and identify role women’s attitudes their access healthcare services these relationships. Associations between FGM/C were measured using multi-logistic regression. About 32% women underwent FGM/C, 23% believed should continue. Women exposed less likely initiate early (OR = 0.56, [95% CI 0.47–0.66]) or breastfeed exclusively (0.64, [0.57–0.73]). acceptance reduced odds initiation (0.57, [0.45–0.73]) (p for interaction < 0.001) exclusive (0.65, [0.59–0.78]) 0.001). Four more antenatal care visits while pregnant modified associations (1.55, [1.26–1.90) (2.01, [1.73–2.330]) 0.001), respectively. associated with outcomes, but this association may be improved attitudinal changes towards FGM/C. Targeted public health education interventions raising awareness about policy increasing prenatal underserved areas are recommended.