Factors associated with uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision among University of Botswana undergraduate male students

Abstract

Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS prevalence in Botswana of 18.4% is the third highest in the world. Thus, the Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision strategy was rolled out with a target of 80% uptake by year 2016. The programme targets mainly young people (15–24 years) as they account for 40% of all new adult infections. We, therefore, aimed at identifying the factors associated with uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision among University of Botswana undergraduate male students as well as to establish the male circumcision prevalence among the same group so as measure the success of the male circumcision (MC) strategy. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 303 undergraduate male students. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires using stratified sampling. Data were captured and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23, where adjusted odds ratios and p-values were calculated. Results: Uptake of male circumcision was 47.9%. Respondents’ knowledge on male circumcision was high (88%). However, a large majority of those uncircumcised (52.1%) indicated unwillingness to get circumcised although they were knowledgeable about the benefits MC. Believing that there are no risks in MC surgery [AOR:1.02; 95% CI: 1.004–1.037] and knowing that an injection is given before undergoing surgery (AOR: 1.072; 95% CI: 1.057–1.087) were positively associated with circumcision status. The main reasons stated for being circumcised were hygiene (49.7%) and protection from HIV (22.1%). Conclusions: There is need for a combination of factors to induce motivation for students to be circumcised. Referent others need to be targeted as well as they are role models and able to positively influence their peers and children.