AIDSImpact.com:: - Santa Fe, USA 2011

Abstract #97 - Prevalence and acceptability of male circumcision in South Africa
Authors: Presenting Author: Prof Leickness Simbayi - HSRC
Additional Authors: Prof. Karl Peltzer, Dr. Dorina Onoya,
Aim: The objectives of the current study were to determine the rates of self-reported circumcision among South African men and, more importantly, evaluate the acceptability of male circumcision in South Africa by uncircumcised adult men and all adult women.
Method / Issue: The study included a nationally representative subgroup of 6654 men aged 15 years and older who where included in the analysis on male circumcision prevalence, and a subgroup of 6796 women aged 15 to 49 years who were included in the analysis on male circumcision acceptance.
Results / Comments: Results indicate an overall prevalence of self-reported male circumcision of 42.8%. Among the Black African population group the prevalence of male circumcision was 48.2%, 32.1% were traditionally and 13.4% were medically circumcised. Among males not circumcised 45.7% of 15-24 years olds indicated that they would consider being circumcised compared to 28.3% among 25-49 years olds.
Discussion: Amongst Black African and coloured non-circumcised men there is high acceptability for male circumcision, as well as amongst women with a non-circumcised sexual partner in the Black African and Coloured population groups. What encourages acceptability in these groups is a higher knowledge of the protective effective of male circumcision as well as higher levels of education.
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