Men undergoing medical circumcision at a community health centre: Knowledge and attitudes

Human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) and/or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome remains a significant global health issue, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Medical male circumcision (MMC) demonstrated effectiveness in decreasing the spread of HIV, more specifically through heterosexual contact with HIV-positive partners. Studies have shown a correlation between male circumcision and lower HIV prevalence, especially in regions where circumcision is a cultural practice. The purpose of the study was to determine the knowledge and attitudes of men utilising the MMC services regarding circumcision.

A cross-sectional study was conducted at a community health centre involving 164 male participants aged 18 years and above using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to determine means, frequencies and associations between knowledge and attitudes of men regarding male medical circumcision.

The median age of men seeking MMC services was 30 years, with hygiene cited as the primary reason by 88.4% of them. In addition, a majority (92%) were mindful of the advantages of circumcision in terms of lowering the risk of sexually transmitted infections and penile cancer (90%).

Hygiene emerged as the primary reason for seeking MMC, contrasting with other studies where cultural and religious factors were more common. Despite significant knowledge levels regarding MMC's health benefits, the overall attitudes towards the procedure were predominantly negative.Contribution: The study highlights a unique factor influencing the decision to undergo MMC in a community health setting and awareness of its health benefits.