Acceptability of male circumcision for prevention of HIV infection among men and women in Uganda

Abstract

In the last decade, three randomized controlled trials in Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda have shown that medical male circumcision (MMC) reduces the sexual transmission of HIV from women to men. Objectives of this assessment were to measure acceptability of adult MMC and circumcision of children to inform policies regarding whether and how to promote MMC as an HIV prevention strategy. This mixed-method study, conducted across four Ugandan districts, included a two-stage household survey of 833 adult males and 842 adult females, focus group discussions, and a health provider survey.

Respondents’ acceptability of MMC was positive and substantial after being informed about the results of recent randomized trials. In uncircumcised men, between 40% and 62% across the districts would consider getting circumcised. Across the four districts between 60% and 86% of fathers and 49% and 95% of mothers were supportive of MMC for sons. Widespread support exists among men and women in this study for promoting MMC as part of Uganda's current ‘ABC + ’ HIV prevention strategy.

Keywords:

• HIV
• male circumcision
• infant circumcision
• Uganda
• acceptability
• prevention

Acknowledgements

We thank Mark Weaver for biostatistics support on this study. We also thank the data collectors who worked diligently during the rainy season in Uganda. This study was funded by USAID and CRTU number GPO-A-00-05-00022-00. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of USAID or of Family Health International.