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Factors affecting uptake of male circumcision as an HIV prevention
strategy among youths
M. Phiri1, C. Chomba1, L. Kasonka2
1SAfAIDS, Research, Monitoring & Evaluation Unit, Lusaka, Zambia, 2SAfAIDS, Management, Lusaka, Zambia
Background: The increasing number
of youths being infected by HIV in the country demands that society develops
mechanisms to not only protect them but also reduce their vulnerability to ill
health and early death. The UNAIDS 2009 reports that one of the key drivers of
the HIV epidemic in Zambia is the low levels of male circumcision rates among
others. To determine knowledge levels, attitude and practices of male youths
towards male circumcision in the selected communities in Zambia, SAfAIDS
conducted a baseline study in 2009.
Methods: A systematic
exploratory study was adopted. Data was collected using both qualitative and
quantitative tools. The study was conducted in two provinces of the nine
provinces of Zambia namely Copperbelt and North Western. 250 respondents were
interviewed. Study population included traditional leaders, community leaders, and
representatives in HIV organisations involved in information dissemination or implementation
of male circumcision advocacy activities. Data was entered in EPI-DATA, analysed in SPSSand
statistical tests were performed on certain variables.
Results: - Overall knowledge
levels on whether medical male circumcision can prevent transmission of
HIV/STIs are low amongst all respondents.
- Only 37.9 %
of the youths reported that they have adequate information about medical male
circumcision.
- Unavailability of health facilities conducting male circumcision
in most communities has affected utilization of male circumcision services
among the youths
Conclusions: Findings
have clearly shown that even though medical male
circumcision has shown to reduce men's risk of becoming infected with HIV
through heterosexual sex, few Zambians know
about this information. There is need to provide the young people, in
particular young men with adequate information on the benefits, and risks
related to medical male circumcision. Based on these findings, SAfAIDS is
developing an information/advocacy project which will disseminate information
on medical male circumcision through peer education, community radio and
information materials disseminated.
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