Perceptions And Socio-Demographic Determinants Of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Among Males Seeking Health Care At Muwanga Health Center Iii, Kiboga District, Uganda

Abstract

Introduction: Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) was rolled out as a strategy to combat the HIV/AIDS scourge. It involves willingly taking up circumcision for those who for one reason or the other have not been circumcised. There is a low uptake of VMMC among most men in different communities where Kiboga District is among. This attracted the researcher to carry out a study to assess the perceptions of males seeking healthcare at Muwanga Health Center III in Kiboga District, Uganda, regarding VMMC. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design with quantitative methods of data collection and analysis was used. A sample size of 349 respondents who were males seeking health care at Muwanga Health Center III selected by simple random sampling was used. Data was collected using researcher self-administered questionnaires. Results: Out of 349 respondents, the majority 305 (87%) had ever heard of VMMC but 84 (24%) were circumcised. Statistically significant socio-demographic factors included, age (χ 2 =18.06, P=0.001), religion (χ 2 =66.22, P=0.001), residence (χ 2 =6.43, P=0.011), education level (χ 2 =16.05, P=0.003) and level of monthly income (χ 2 =60.18, P=0.001). Significant perceptions included; general perception of VMMC (χ 2 =50.98, P=0.001), Belief that VMMC could improve personal hygiene and cleanliness (χ 2 =4.99 P=0.025), Opinion, that VMMC protects against HIV or other STIs (χ 2 =9.49, P=0.023), a belief that undergoing VMMC could enhance an individual's sexual desirability (χ 2 =23.14, P=0.001), concerns or fears, about VMMC (χ 2 =11.64, P=0.008), In cases respondents hadn’t undergone VMMC, factors, would encourage one to consider it in the future (χ 2 =11.15, P=0.011), Thoughts about how VMMC should be more actively promoted and encouraged within the community or country (χ 2 =12.25, P=0.007) and Overall recommendation for VMMC to other males (χ 2 =10.61, P=0.005). Multivariate analysis indicated; having College/University (AOR: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.01-0.93, P=0.044), earning between 400,001 and 800,000/= par month (AOR: 2.09, 95% CI: 2.09-14.29, P=0,001), generally having a negative perception towards VMMC (AOR: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.003-0.51, P=0.014), not being sure that VMMC could enhance an individual's sexual desirability (AOR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.011-0.26, P=0.001), a belief that VMMC has an Impact on sexual sensation or pleasure (AOR: 9.43, 95% CI: 1.72-51.82, P=0.010), a belief to some extent that VMMC should be more actively promoted and encouraged within community or country (AOR: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.007-0.53, P=0.011), not being very likely to recommend VMMC to other males (AOR: 95% CI: 0.003-0.69, P=0.027). Conclusion: The low uptake of VMMC was associated with relative education, low income, negative perception towards VMMC, not being sure that VMMC could enhance an individual's sexual desirability, a belief that VMMC negatively impacted sexual sensation or pleasure, believing that VMMC shouldn’t be more actively promoted and encouraged within community or country and unwillingness to recommend VMMC to other males Recommendations: The government through the Ministry of Health should give routine health education to men about VMMC so that they know its benefits and the service should be free of charge in all healthcare facilities. Men who have undergone VMMC and have enjoyed the health benefits should also encourage other men to take up the service.