Psychosocial Factors Influencing Medical Circumcision of Males Performed Voluntarily Uptake in Turkana County

Abstract

Purpose: Kenya is amongst six high-burden nations in Africa grappling high HIV infections. Approximately 91.2% of Kenyan men have undergone circumcision. However, male circumcision is not traditionally practiced in Turkana community with male circumcision rates ranging from 5-10%. The study's goals were to identify the influences on consensual medical male circumcision acceptance in Turkana County caused by psychological aspects.
 Methodology: The cross-sectional study was carried out in Loima, Turkana central and Turkana North sub-counties between November 2021 to January 2022 with sample size of 434 adult men. Data was collected using both quantitative and qualitative tools. The researcher-administered survey, KII schedules, and a FGD guide. The Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 22 was used to analyze quantitative data, whereas qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The results were interpreted at 5% level of significance.
 Findings: Results showed that of 374 male participants in the study, 79.9% had undergone circumcision, 77.0% were aged 18-35 years, 94.1% were Christians, and 44.7% were unemployed while 54.8% were married. The overall mean scores of responses for psychosocial factors, psychosocial factors was 3.602 (positive). Psychological factors were predicted to increase uptake of VMMC by 0.99 [OR = 0.986; 95% CI: 0.745-1.228, P=0.000].
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends that policies addressing main VMMC uptake amongst men in Turkana County should incorporate public participation, traditional leaders and local administrators for societal acceptance. There is need for effective sensitization and advocacy for behavioral change, mobilization and ownership of the initiative by the community.