Prevalence and covariates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviours among circumcised and uncircumcised men in Botswana: A national cross sectional study

Abstract

There is insufficient evidence documenting and comparing the prevalence and covariates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviours among circumcised and uncircumcised men in Botswana. The main aim of this paper was to assess prevalence and covariates of HIV risk behaviours among circumcised and uncircumcised men in Botswana. Data used for this study was derived from the 2013 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey which was a nationally representative, population-based survey. Cross-tabulations and logistic regression analysis were used to assess covariates of HIV risk behaviours among circumcised and uncircumcised men. Mean age for participants in the study was 30.46 years. From a total sample of 3809 men, only 25% were circumcised, 90% had ever heard about safe male circumcision program, 9% were of the view that circumcised men should stop using condoms. Results show that 67% of men were circumcised in government health facility, 16% in private health facility, while 17% in a traditional setting. Logistic regression results show evidence of risk compensation (multiple sex partners) among circumcised men (OR=1.027; 95% CI: 1.002-1.053). On the other hand, circumcised men were less likely to have not used condoms consistently (OR=0.672; 95% CI: 0.531-0.753). Alcohol consumption was found to be a statistically significant covariate of having multiple sex partners (OR=2.101; 95% CI: 2.044-2.161) while in rural residence, Christianity, primary education and the belief that circumcised men should stop using condoms were associated with inconsistent condom use. Further research is needed to understand the complex relationship between men's circumcision status and HIV risk behaviours in order to design effective interventions.