Female genital cutting in the demographic and health surveys : a critical and comparative analysis

It is intended to make more accessible the basic information on the distribution and practice of FGC and to encourage country-specific analysis of DHS data on FGC. The report describes the types of DHS data available on FGC, outlines some overall patterns in the data, identifies important changes over time, and comments on the questionnaires used from 1989 to 2002. By the end of 2002, there were a total of 20 DHS surveys that included questions on the circumcision status of women. The surveys covered 15 countries in Africa, plus Yemen. The report discusses how the specific questions on FGC used in DHS surveys have changed over time (1989 to 2002). There has been variation in how women are asked about their circumcision status and, if circumcised, what type of circumcision was performed. There has also been variation in the way daughters are identified for purposes of determining circumcision status, and variation in the questions on individual perceptions about FGC. (Author abstract, modified)