Abstract
IntroductionMedical male circumcision is currently recognized as an additional important HIV preventive intervention to reduce the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men. However, sexual behaviours after medical circumcision can potentially reduce the expected benefits of the practice. This study explored the perceptions about medical male circumcision and sexual behaviours of adults in Kayunga district, Uganda.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out among 393 respondents using a semi structured questionnaire. In addition, four focus group discussions were conducted. Quantitative data was analysed using STATA 12. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were carried out. Qualitative data was analysed thematically.ResultsThe study established various perceptions about medical male circumcision and sexual behaviours. Majority 247 (64.5%) did not perceive circumcision as a practice that can lead men to have multiple sexual partners. Males were 3 times more likely to think that circumcision would lead to having multiple sexual partners than females (AOR=2.99, CI: 1.93-4.61). Only 89 (23.2%) believed that circumcision would lead to complacency and compromise the use of condoms to prevent against infection with HIV. Respondents who had education above primary were less likely to think that circumcision would compromise the use of condoms (AOR=0.49, CI: 0.31- 0.79). The perception that circumcised youths were less likely to abstain from sexual intercourse was less held among those with education above primary (AOR=0.58, CI: 0.37-0.91) and those older than 30 years (AOR=0.59, CI: 0.38-0.92).ConclusionThere were gaps in knowledge and negative perceptions about MMC in the study community. Measures are needed to avert the negative perceptions by equipping communities with sufficient, accurate and consistent information about medical male circumcision and sexual behaviour.
Highlights
Medical male circumcision is currently recognized as an additional important HIV preventive intervention to reduce the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men
This study explored the perceptions about medical male circumcision and sexual behaviours of adults in Kayunga district, Uganda
Knowledge and perceptions on medical male circumcision: the majority 383 (97.5%) of respondents had heard about MMC
Summary
Medical male circumcision is currently recognized as an additional important HIV preventive intervention to reduce the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men. One key intervention in the fight has been the addition of medical male circumcision (MMC) as part of the comprehensive HIV prevention package [2] following evidence that it is efficacious in reducing sexual transmission of HIV from women to men [3,4,5]. In the South Africa trial, circumcised men reported having more sex compared to the uncircumcised men [4] while in the Kenya trial, circumcised participants reported more unprotected sex acts than their uncircumcised counterparts [3] In another South African qualitative study amongst women, most thought that MMC would increase females' risk of contracting HIV as circumcised men may engage in risky behaviours like having more sexual partners and not using condoms [8]. This study explored the perceptions about medical male circumcision and sexual behaviours of adults in Kayunga district, Uganda
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