Differentials in Male Circumcision Prevalence, HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Behavioral Prevention Practices Among Men in Nigeria

Abstract

Compelling evidence regarding the HIV/AIDS reduction potentials of male circumcision abounds in sub-Saharan Africa, but men aged 15 to 59 years in Nigeria are mostly circumcised already. Yet, Nigeria continues to experience tens of thousands of deaths due to HIV/AIDS yearly, accounting for one of the highest HIV burdens worldwide. Differentials that may account for new HIV infections and high HIV prevalence rates need to be investigated. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of male circumcision and determine the association between HIV/AIDS/STIs knowledge, contraception methods, and HIV prevention behavioral practices amongst men in Nigeria. This study utilized the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (n= 13,311). Chi-square tests were used to determine the prevalence of male circumcision. Two binary logistic regression models were performed to predict the relationship between independent and dependent variables. The prevalence of male circumcision was higher among men with knowledge of HIV/AIDS (98%) and other STIs (74%), used condoms (70.7%), and only 2.5% of men who sought advice/treatment were circumcised. Further evidence suggested that knowledge of HIV/AIDS was associated with higher odds of consistent condom use (AOR = 2.37; 95% CI =1.12 – 5.02), and knowledge of other STIs was significantly associated with higher odds of seeking advice/treatment for the last STIs (AOR= 3.06; 95% CI = 1.88 – 4.99). This suggests that comprehensive education regarding HIV/AIDS and STIs if prioritized may serve as both a protective and preventive mechanism to achieve HIV epidemic control among men in Nigeria. Keywords: Circumcised men, HIV/AIDS, HIV/AIDS knowledge, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Sexual behaviors, Nigeria.