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Akugizibwe L, Benyumiza D, Nekesa C, Kumakech E, Kigongo E, Ashaba N, Kabunga A, Tumwesigye R. Knowledge, Perception, and Practice of Safe Medical Circumcision on HIV Infection Risk Reduction among Undergraduate Students of a Public University in Northern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 2024:1534139. [PMID: 38633241 PMCID: PMC11022510 DOI: 10.1155/2024/1534139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Background About 70% (25.6 million) of the global HIV/AIDS burden is from Sub-Saharan Africa. Safe male circumcision (SMC) is one of the measures that were adopted by the Ugandan government aimed at reducing the risk of HIV infection contraction, as recommended by the WHO. Its main goal was to maximize HIV prevention impact with voluntary medical circumcision services to all adult men and adolescent boys. The objective of our study was to assess the knowledge, perception, and practice of safe medical circumcision on HIV infection risk reduction among undergraduate students of a public university in Northern Uganda. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 556 randomly selected Lira University undergraduate students from March 2023 to June 2023. With the use of a self-administered questionnaire, we collected data on the knowledge and perceptions of undergraduate students towards safe medical circumcision. Data were exported to Stata® 17 statistical software. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate regression analyses were done at a statistical level of significance P value < 0.05. Results Our 556 study participants had an age range of 21-25 years. The majority (81.29%) of the respondents knew that safe medical circumcision reduces the risk of acquiring HIV. However, the perception is that close to 3 in 4 (74.46%) of the students were unsure if they would opt for safe medical circumcision as risk reduction measure against HIV. The practice of safe medical circumcision was 64.8% among the study participants. Conclusions More than three in four of the undergraduate students have knowledge on safe medical circumcision as risk reduction measure for HIV infection. And close to 3 in 4 (74.46%) of the student's perception were unsure if they would opt for safe medical circumcision as risk reduction measure against HIV. The practice of safe medical circumcision was 64.8% among the study participants. Therefore, in an effort to increase SMC's adoption for HIV/AIDS prevention, the Ministry of Health of Uganda and related stakeholders in health should work hand in hand with university study bodies in order to optimize SMC uptake among university students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucky Akugizibwe
- Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. Box 1035 Lira City, Uganda
| | - Deo Benyumiza
- Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Lira University, P.O. Box 1035 Lira City, Uganda
| | - Catherine Nekesa
- Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Lira University, P.O. Box 1035 Lira City, Uganda
| | - Edward Kumakech
- Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Lira University, P.O. Box 1035 Lira City, Uganda
| | - Eustes Kigongo
- Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. Box 1035 Lira City, Uganda
| | - Nasser Ashaba
- Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. Box 1035 Lira City, Uganda
| | - Amir Kabunga
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Lira University, P.O. Box 1035 Lira City, Uganda
| | - Raymond Tumwesigye
- Department of Emergency Nursing and Critical Care, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Lira University, P.O. Box 1035 Lira City, Uganda
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Elsayed B, Elmarasi M, Madzime RJ, Mapahla L, ElBadway MMS, Chivese T. Estimates of the prevalence of male circumcision in sub-Saharan Africa from 2010-2023-A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298387. [PMID: 38478528 PMCID: PMC10936832 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Male circumcision (MC) is a key part of the package of interventions to prevent HIV, the biggest health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVE To estimate the male circumcision prevalence and to evaluate the progress towards meeting WHO targets in sub-Saharan Africa during the period 2010-2023. METHODS We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published during the period 2010-2023. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, Google Scholar, WHO and the Demographic and Health Survey for reports on MC prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. MC prevalence was synthesized using inverse-variance heterogeneity models, heterogeneity using I2 statistics and publication bias using funnel plots. RESULTS A total of 53 studies were included. The overall prevalence during the study period was 45.9% (95% CI 32.3-59.8), with a higher MC prevalence in Eastern (69.9%, 95%CI 49.9-86.8) compared to Southern African (33.3%, 95%CI 21.7-46.2). The overall prevalence was higher in urban (45.3%, 95%CI 27.7-63.4) compared to rural settings (42.6%, 95% 26.5-59.5). Male circumcision prevalence increased from 40.2% (95% CI 25.0-56.3) during 2010-2015 to 56.2% (95% CI 31.5-79.5) during 2016-2023. Three countries exceeded 80% MC coverage, namely, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. CONCLUSION Overall, the current MC prevalence is below 50%, with higher prevalence in Eastern African countries and substantially lower prevalence in Southern Africa. Most of the priority countries need to do more to scale up medical male circumcision programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basant Elsayed
- Department of Population Medicine, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Qatar
| | - Mohamed Elmarasi
- Department of Population Medicine, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Qatar
| | - Ruvarashe J. Madzime
- Department of Global Health, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lovemore Mapahla
- Department of Global Health, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Tawanda Chivese
- Department of Population Medicine, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Qatar
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Ntshiqa T, Musekiwa A, Manesen R, Mdose H, Ngoma N, Kuonza L, Dlamini T, Reddy C, Williams S. Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Acceptability of Medical Male Circumcision among Males in Traditionally Circumcising Rural Communities of Alfred Nzo District, Eastern Cape, South Africa. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:7091. [PMID: 38063521 PMCID: PMC10706319 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20237091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Male circumcision (MC) reduces HIV transmission risk by up to 60% in heterosexual men. However, uptake of medical male circumcision (MMC) is low in traditionally circumcising communities of South Africa. We assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices to identify factors predicting acceptability of MMC among males in the Alfred Nzo District. A cross-sectional study was conducted among males aged 15-49 years in this district. Logistic regression was used to identify factors predicting acceptability of MMC. We interviewed 343 males who had a median age of 19 years (interquartile range (IQR): 16-25 years). Of these, 77% (95% confidence interval (CI): 72-82) were circumcised: 77% (95% CI: 71-82) were circumcised in a traditional setting and 21% (95% CI: 16-26) in a medical setting. The median score of knowledge about the benefits of MMC was 62.5% (IQR: 37.5-75.0), with 59% (95% CI: 53-64) demonstrating a positive attitude towards MMC and 68% (95% CI: 63-73) accepting involvement of health workers in MC. Excellent knowledge (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 3.07, 95% CI: 0.99-9.58, p = 0.053), awareness (aOR: 3.26, 95% CI: 1.08-9.86, p = 0.037), and positive attitude towards MMC (aOR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.30-4.25, p = 0.005) were associated with acceptability of MMC. Participants demonstrated good knowledge and acceptance of the MMC programme. Knowledge, attitude, and awareness were significant predictors of MMC acceptability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thobani Ntshiqa
- South African Field Epidemiology Training Programme, National Institute for Communicable Disease, Sandringham, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa; (A.M.); (H.M.); (N.N.); (L.K.); (C.R.); (S.W.)
- South African National Aids Council, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa;
| | - Alfred Musekiwa
- South African Field Epidemiology Training Programme, National Institute for Communicable Disease, Sandringham, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa; (A.M.); (H.M.); (N.N.); (L.K.); (C.R.); (S.W.)
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Riyadh Manesen
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa;
- GERMS-SA, National Institute for Communicable Disease, Sandringham, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa
- Epidemiology Unit, Eastern Cape Department of Health, Bisho 5605, South Africa;
| | - Hetani Mdose
- South African Field Epidemiology Training Programme, National Institute for Communicable Disease, Sandringham, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa; (A.M.); (H.M.); (N.N.); (L.K.); (C.R.); (S.W.)
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Nqobile Ngoma
- South African Field Epidemiology Training Programme, National Institute for Communicable Disease, Sandringham, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa; (A.M.); (H.M.); (N.N.); (L.K.); (C.R.); (S.W.)
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Lazarus Kuonza
- South African Field Epidemiology Training Programme, National Institute for Communicable Disease, Sandringham, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa; (A.M.); (H.M.); (N.N.); (L.K.); (C.R.); (S.W.)
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Thomas Dlamini
- Epidemiology Unit, Eastern Cape Department of Health, Bisho 5605, South Africa;
| | - Carl Reddy
- South African Field Epidemiology Training Programme, National Institute for Communicable Disease, Sandringham, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa; (A.M.); (H.M.); (N.N.); (L.K.); (C.R.); (S.W.)
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
- TEPHINET Secretariat, The Task Force for Global Health, Decatur, GA 30030, USA
| | - Seymour Williams
- South African Field Epidemiology Training Programme, National Institute for Communicable Disease, Sandringham, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa; (A.M.); (H.M.); (N.N.); (L.K.); (C.R.); (S.W.)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30328, USA
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