Does Literacy influence Socio-cultural Determinants of Female Gender Mutilation? A Community Study in Southern Nigeria

Background: The practice of FGM is heavily predicated on its socio-cultural determinants  which could be influenced by the extent of female literacy. 
Objective: To explore the effect of female literacy on the socio-cultural determinants of Female  Gender Mutilation in Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria.
Methodology: This is a community based cross sectional survey conducted between June 
2015 and December 2016 among 1452 women randomly selected using a proportionate  stratified random sampling method from twelve communities distributed across Akwa Ibom  State. They were interviewed using a structured interviewer-assisted questionnaire after signing  an informed consent and was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version  21.
Results: On bivariate association there was significant association between the level of literacy  and socio-cultural determinants of FGM explored in this study. However, multivariable analysis  showed significant associations between – primary level of education and the notion that FGM  is a ‘rite of passage’ into womanhood [99%CI ; AOR= 6.12 (5.07- 6.88); p value <0.0001];  primary level of education and the notion that FGM enhances fertility [99%CI; AOR=3.36 (2.51-
4.46); P value<0.001]; primary [99%CI; AOR = 4.87(2.23 – 6.33); p<0.0001] and secondary  level of education [99%CI; AOR=1.16(0.86 -1.89); p value< 0.01] and the belief that FGM  bridles promiscuity.
Conclusion: Level of female literacy is positively related to socio-cultural determinants of FGM.