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Improving estimates of the prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting among migrants in Western countries

Author

Listed:
  • Livia Ortensi

    (Università di Bologna (UNIBO))

  • Alessio Menonna

    (Fondazione per le Iniziative e lo Studio sulla multietnicità (ISMU))

  • Patrizia Farina

    (Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca (UNIMIB))

Abstract

Background: Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) is an emerging topic in immigrant countries as a consequence of the increasing proportion of African women in overseas communities. Objective: While the prevalence of FGM/C is routinely measured in practicing countries, the prevalence of the phenomenon in western countries is substantially unknown, as no standardized methods exist yet for immigrant countries. The aim of this paper is to present an improved method of indirect estimation of the prevalence of FGM/C among first generation migrants based on a migrant selection hypothesis. A criterion to assess reliability of indirect estimates is also provided. Methods: The method is based on data from Demographic Health Surveys (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS). Migrants’ Selection Hypothesis is used to correct national prevalence estimates and obtain an improved estimation of prevalence among overseas communities. Results: The application of the selection hypothesis modifies national estimates, usually predicting a lower occurrence of FGM/C among immigrants than in their respective practicing countries. A comparison of direct and indirect estimations confirms that the method correctly predicts the direction of the variation in the expected prevalence and satisfactorily approximates direct estimates. Conclusions: Given its wide applicability, this method would be a useful instrument to estimate FGM/C occurrence among first generation immigrants and provide corresponding support for policies in countries where information from ad hoc surveys is unavailable.

Suggested Citation

  • Livia Ortensi & Alessio Menonna & Patrizia Farina, 2015. "Improving estimates of the prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting among migrants in Western countries," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 32(18), pages 543-562.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:32:y:2015:i:18
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2015.32.18
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David McKenzie & Hillel Rapoport, 2010. "Self-Selection Patterns in Mexico-U.S. Migration: The Role of Migration Networks," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 92(4), pages 811-821, November.
    2. Dineke Korfker & Ria Reis & Marlies Rijnders & Sanna Meijer-van Asperen & Lucienne Read & Maylis Sanjuan & Kathy Herschderfer & Simone Buitendijk, 2012. "The lower prevalence of female genital mutilation in the Netherlands: a nationwide study in Dutch midwifery practices," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 57(2), pages 413-420, April.
    3. Kohnert, Dirk, 2007. "African Migration to Europe: Obscured Responsibilities and Common Misconceptions," GIGA Working Papers 49, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ramin Kawous & Maria E T C van den Muijsenbergh & Diana Geraci & Anke van der Kwaak & Els Leye & Annemarie Middelburg & Livia E Ortensi & Alex Burdorf, 2020. "The prevalence and risk of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting among migrant women and girls in the Netherlands: An extrapolation method," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(4), pages 1-16, April.
    2. Livia Elisa Ortensi & Alessio Menonna, 2017. "Migrating with Special Needs? Projections of Flows of Migrant Women with Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Toward Europe 2016–2030," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 33(4), pages 559-583, October.

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    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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