Abstract
BackgroundMale circumcision will require high uptake among previously non-circumcising countries to realise the impact of circumcising in preventing HIV. Little is known about whether youths are knowledgeable about male circumcision and its relationship with HIV prevention and their perception of risk of HIV infection.ObjectiveThis article aimed to ascertain youth’s knowledge about male circumcision and perception of risk of HIV infection.MethodsA quantitative study on 784 youth (men aged 15–35 years) was conducted in Harare, Zimbabwe, after obtaining their consent. Multivariate analysis examined the associations between background characteristics and knowledge about male circumcision and the perception of risk of HIV infection.ResultsThe results revealed that age was a significant predictor of knowledge about male circumcision among youth in Harare, as was educational attainment and ever having tested for HIV. In addition, youth who had heard of voluntary medical male circumcision were more likely to have high knowledge of male circumcision compared to those who had never heard of it. The results also showed that male circumcision status was associated with higher knowledge about male circumcision compared to those who were not circumcised. The study also found that educational attainment, belonging to the Shona ethnic group, never having tested for HIV and disapproval of voluntary counselling and testing prior to male circumcision were associated with the perception of risk of HIV infection.ConclusionThe study provides two recommendations: the need to strengthen perceived susceptibility to HIV among the youth and the need for advocacy on the health benefits of male circumcision.
Highlights
The aim of the study was to identify the sociodemographic factors associated with knowledge about male circumcision and the perception of risk of HIV infection among youth in Harare, Zimbabwe
The eastern and southern Africa regions are most affected by HIV, with the number of people on treatment more than doubling since 2010, reaching nearly 10.3 million people, resulting in HIV- and AIDS-related deaths in the region decreasing by 36% since 2010.1 According to UNAIDS, the region has witnessed the largest reduction in new adult HIV infections
In the Zimbabwean context, little is known about the impact of background characteristics on social variables related to knowledge of male circumcision and perception of risk of HIV infection among urban men aged 15–35 years, despite the fact that this is a key subpopulation in the fight against HIV
Summary
The aim of the study was to identify the sociodemographic factors associated with knowledge about male circumcision and the perception of risk of HIV infection among youth in Harare, Zimbabwe. Strides have been made concerning improved sexual behaviour in most countries, some countries in sub-Saharan Africa have detected low condom use and an increase in the number of sexual partners in their surveys.[2] Recent reports show that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are increasing among certain population groups, including urban youth in Harare.[3] Considering the higher levels of STIs among the urban youth, there is need to focus attention on knowledge about male circumcision and the perception of risk of HIV infection research in urban areas as a way to curb further HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Little is known about whether youths are knowledgeable about male circumcision and its relationship with HIV prevention and their perception of risk of HIV infection
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