| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: In Uganda, by the end of 2015 the country‘s health ministry aimed to circumcise
80% – or 4.2 million – men aged between 15 and 49. But between 2008 and 2013 the country
only managed to circumcise 50% of this population (MOH, 2015). The level of uptake of
VMMC services was low in Soroti Sub County. This motivated the researcher to carry out a
study about the factors influencing uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision services
among men in Soroti Sub County Soroti District. It was based on specific objectives that
included; to assess the social demographic, knowledge, attitude and health care factors
influencing uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision services among men in Sub County
Soroti district.
Methods: The study employed a descriptive cross sectional study design using quantitative
methods of data collection. A sample size of 409 respondents who were men were selected by
simple random sampling. Data was collected using structured questionnaire administered by the
researcher.
Results: The level of uptake of VMMC services among men in Soroti Sub County was low as
compared to the national target. This was due to lack of adequate sensitization about the
importance of the service. Social demographic characteristics of the respondents that influenced
the utilization of VMMC services were age, marital status, level of education, religion, monthly
income and tribe. Knowledge factors that influenced the uptake of VMMC services among men
included; Source of information, awareness of importance of VMMC, knowledge about the
places where to get VMMC services, VMMC reduce sexual pleasure, knowledge about the
hygiene benefits of VMMC, knowledge about the care given to circumcised males and
awareness of expected duration of recovery. Attitude factors that influenced the uptake of
VMMC services among men in Soroti sub county included; being very free to undergo
circumcision, a belief that VMMC is not painful, a belief that VMMC does lead to heavy
bleeding, a mind-set that VMMC is ideal because it reveals respondents‘ HIV status, a
perception that VMMC is free of infections during surgery, a belief that a circumcised male
stands less chances of STIs infection, a mind-set that a circumcision wound takes short time to
heal and that a circumcised male doesn‘t experience reduced sexual pleasure. Health care
related factors that influenced uptake of VMMC services included; availability of VMMC
services, distance to health facility, ever been face to face health educated about VMMC
services, adequacy of health workers, provision of information about VMMC, extortion of additional fees for VMMC services, provision of counseling and testing services about STIs and
regularly attended health care services.
Conclusion: The level of uptake of VMMC services in Soroti Sub County was low. It was
found out that majority of the respondents had low knowledge and negative attitude towards
the uptake of VMMC services among men. Also, the health care related factors never
favored men‘s utilization of VMMC services.
Recommendations: The Ministry of health should work hand in hand with the health care
workers at sub county and village level to educate and sensitize men more about VMMC
services so that they positively perceive it and utilize it. The VMMC services should also be
extended to all health care facilities so that accessibility is increased. | en_US |
