Factors Influencing Uptake Of Safe Male Circumcision Among Residents Of Nakavule Village Aged 15-49years

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Male circumcision is one of the ancient and commonest surgical procedures in the world. It is taken up because of different reasons, such as; cultural, religion, social, and medical benefits. Objectives: The aim of the study was to identify the factors influencing uptake of SMC among residents of Nakavule village aged 15-49 years. The objectives were; to determine the socio-demographic, individual factors and health system factors contributing to uptake of SMC. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study with 350 participants. Data collection was by use questionnaires. Stratified random sampling technique and simple random sampling were used to obtain the participants. Results: 75.4% of the respondents were circumcised with 45.1% medically circumcised. Age of the respondents (P=0.004) and ethnicity of the respondents (P=0.001) had significant association with uptake of SMC. Fear of HIV testing (P=0.062) and fear of long wound healing time (P=0.122) had no significant association with uptake of SMC. In addition, availability of SMC services (P=0.001) and the sex of staff (P=0.000) had significant association with uptake of SMC. Conclusion and recommendation: The study revealed that uptake of SMC was 75.4%. Contributing factors in uptake of SMC include age, religion, education status, and peer pressure, knowledge about SMC, attitude towards SMC, availability of SMC services, sex of staff and attitude of the health workers. With regards to the findings of the study, it is recommended that more effort should be put on circumcising younger men and finding ways to overcome the perceived barriers to SMC.