Knowledge, attitudes and practices of male circumcision for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention among voluntary counselling and testing clients in a centre in northern Namibia

Abstract

Background: There is compelling evidence that male circumcision (MC) is associated with reduced risk of contracting HIV. For this reason, MC is recommended for countries like Namibia where HIV prevalence is high and MC rates are low. Following this recommendation, a national MC campaign was considered to introduce MC as an additional HIV prevention strategy with the intention of rolling it out in communities where MC is not traditionally practised and where heterosexually transmitted HIV infection rates are high. Little is known about the acceptability of MC in traditionally non-circumcising communities in Northern Namibia. Objective: This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices of MC among men presenting for voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) in a traditionally non-circumcising ethnic group in the northern Namibia. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 331 Oshiwambo-speaking males aged 18 years and older, presenting for VCT services. Data was analysed using Epi-Info 2008, Version 3.5.1. Results: The self-reported prevalence of MC in the study sample was 15.4%, with 38% of those reporting being circumcised during their childhood (1-13 years) and 44% being circumcised for health-related reasons. Most respondents (n = 241, 74.4%) had heard that MC reduces the men's risk of HIV infection. Up to 53.1% of the respondents had good knowledge regarding MC; moreover, the majority of the respondents (n = 194, 66.6%) reported that it is easier for uncircumcised men to acquire HIV infection. It was found that men aged 25 to 34 years were more willing to be circumcised than the other age groups. Conclusions: A high level of knowledge of MC was revealed. Accordingly, the idea of MC is likely to be accepted, especially if it is implemented to reduce the risk of HIV infection.

Perceptions and knowledge of voluntary medical male circumcision for HIV prevention in traditionally non-circumcising communities in South Africa

“…Overall knowledge of circumcision health benefits was average, with few displaying poor or no knowledge of circumcision, similar to results obtained by Ngodji (2010). Three-fourths (75.5%) of participants were aware of some health benefit; however, most (52.0%) identified only the perception of improved hygiene.…”

“…A questionnaire was used to obtain the necessary data and was designed based on the requirements of stakeholders, from reviewing current relevant literature and the adaptation of a few previously used questionnaires (Ngodji, 2010). The questionnaire, which encompassed a mixture of open-and closed-ended questions, was initially written in English and then translated into Afrikaans.…”

“…In our study, 12.2% mistakenly believe that men who are circumcised cannot get HIV, while 75.5% believe that a circumcised man is still susceptible. A study in Global Public Health 703 Namibia found that 7.6% of men believed that a circumcised man does not need to wear a condom (Ngodji, 2010), whereas a study conducted in Swaziland indicated that only 1.6% of participants believed that circumcision provides 100% protection from HIV (Vambe, 2013). Our result of 12.2% is notably larger than in these other studies, highlighting the need for adequate pre-and post-procedure counselling as well as health promotion to inform men and women that a circumcised man and all his potential partners are still susceptible to HIV and other STIs, and that safe sex practices are still advisable.…”

Determinants of knowledge on sexually transmitted infections among students in public higher education institutions in Melaka state, Malaysia

“…Our study showed that less than one-third of the respondents knew that being uncircumcised (for males) is one of the risk factors for STIs. This finding is inconsistent with a study conducted among males who attended the clinic for HIV testing in Namibia where 66% of the respondents knew male circumcision could reduce STIs transmission [ 33 ]. Furthermore, one-third of our respondents thought smoking is one of the risk factors for STIs.…”

Swazi Males’ Knowledge and Practices of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision in one of the Communities in the Hhohho Region, Swaziland

“…A questionnaire adapted from Ngodji was used to solicit information from the participants [11]. The tool was reviewed by content experts to determine content validity.…”