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Article History

Received: 28 September 2025

Accepted: 16 February 2026

First Online: 19 February 2026

Declarations

:

: The authors declare no competing interests.

: Secondary anonymized data from the DHS were used for this research. These datasets are publicly available, and access for research purposes was granted by the DHS Program ( ). Because the data are de-identified and publicly accessible, additional ethical clearance or participant consent was not required. All ethical approvals and participant consent procedures were completed by the DHS Program and are documented in the original DHS reports. This study addressed FGM, a culturally sensitive and ethically complex issue, and all analyses were conducted with careful attention to responsible use of data. DHS datasets are fully anonymized, and no identifiable information was accessed, ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of respondents. Because classification modeling in this context carries a risk of misinterpretation or stigmatization, we emphasize that the model outputs are intended solely to inform supportive public health interventions and not for punitive or discriminatory purposes. Ethical use of these findings requires cultural sensitivity, respect for community values, and alignment with human rights principles aimed at protecting women and girls.