Perceptions of male circumcision among male adults in Livingstone, Zambia

Abstract

Male circumcision offers partial protection against HIV/AIDS and other STls. In Zambia overall adult HIV prevalence is 13.1 % with 1.6 % of the adult population becoming newly infected each year. Even if the government supports male circumcision, the practice is still limited. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed at explore perceptions of male circumcision among male adults in Livingstone, Zambia. A descriptive design with qualitative approach was used in the study. Thirteen men, circumcised and uncircumcised, aged 18-48 years from different ethnic groups and with different marital status and education who frequented, socialized and were active in sports, were interviewed. The transcribed interviews were analysed using qualitative conventional content analysis. The results showed that participants perceived male circumcision as diverse in health, sexuality and culture. Results were presented under various categories. Disease prevention against HIV and sexually transmitted diseases was one of the main views mentioned by participants. Participants also had diverse views on sexuality as some described that male circumcision improved sexuality while others augured that it was ineffective. Further, more cultural and traditional views were highlighted such as male circumcision was primitive and old. The study provides an insight in the phenomenon of male circumcision. Understanding the perception of male circumcision with regard to health will help health care professionals to develop more effective programmes in the scale up of circumcision activities regardless of tribe or education. Additional research is recommended to look at acceptability in non-circumcising tribes in Livingstone.