1. Acceptability of male circumcision among adolescent boys and their parents, Botswana.
- Author
-
Jayeoba O, Dryden-Peterson S, Okui L, Smeaton L, Magetse J, Makori L, Modikwa V, Mogodi M, Plank R, and Lockman S
- Subjects
- Botswana epidemiology, Cluster Analysis, Cross-Sectional Studies, HIV Infections epidemiology, Humans, Male, Medicine, African Traditional adverse effects, Risk Factors, Rural Health, Adolescent, Circumcision, Male statistics & numerical data, Communicable Disease Control methods, HIV Infections prevention & control, Medicine, African Traditional methods, Parents, Patient Acceptance of Health Care statistics & numerical data
- Abstract
Little is known of the acceptability of male circumcision (MC) to adolescent boys, a key target group for HIV prevention. We conducted a cluster design survey among adolescent boys and their parents/guardians in two villages in Botswana. Of 1300 households visited, 398 boys were eligible; 269 boys and 210 parents/guardians participated. MC was described correctly by 80% of boys, and 76% identified that MC reduces the risk of male HIV acquisition. After a brief informational session, 75% of boys stated that they would definitely want to be circumcised and 96% of parents/guardians would want their boy circumcised. Boys most frequently reported pain (49%) and possible health problems (19%) as concerns undergoing MC; concerns about peer or partner acceptance, sexual function, or cultural appropriateness were uncommon. Adolescent MC is likely to be highly acceptable in Botswana if done safely, for free and with adequate pain control in a hospital setting.
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF