Researchers from South Africa conducted a community-based cross-sectional study exploring the acceptability of male circumcision among a random sample of 482 men aged 19-29 years and 302 women aged 14-25 years, all living in the Westonaria district in South Africa. The prevalence of HIV infection was 11% among the men and 30% among the women.

In total 108 (22.4% of the men) were circumcised. Two-thirds of the 108 circumcised men were circumcised during a traditional ceremony and one-third in a clinical setting, a small proportion 6.5% has been circumcised by a GP; the latter reported less pain and fewer adverse outcomes. More than 70% of the non-circumcised men stated that they would want to be circumcised if male circumcision were proved to protect against sexually transmitted infections. Twenty-nine per cent of the circumcised men and 22% of the non circumcised men believed that male circumcision protects against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Moreover, 30% and 18%, respectively, believed that circumcised men could safely have sex with multiple partners. Multivariate analysis showed that circumcised men were more likely to report many lifetime partners.

Although the level of male circumcision in this area of South Africa was relatively low (at 30.8%) compared to the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, where rates as high as 100% have been reported, it is perceived positively. A significant proportion of the circumcised males felt protected by their circumcision, a feeling unfortunately translated into unsafe practices. The results strongly suggest that interventions including male circumcision should carefully address the false sense of security that it may provide.

References

Lagarde E et al. Acceptability of male circumcision as a tool for preventing HIV infection in a highly infected community in South Africa. AIDS 17: 89-95, 2003.