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Galiwango RM, Kigozi G, Feng X, Reynolds S, Quinn T, Kiboneka SD, Mpagazi J, Kereba JB, Nakayijja A, Ssekubugu R, Chang L, Kagayi J, Tobian A, Grabowski MK. Validation of self-reported male circumcision status and genital ulcer disease among Ugandan men. Sex Transm Infect 2024:sextrans-2023-056096. [PMID: 38964842 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2023-056096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Voluntary medical male circumcision (MC) is a critical tool in combination HIV prevention programmes in Africa. Self-reported MC (SrMC) status is used in HIV epidemiological surveys to assess MC coverage but is subject to response bias with limited validation. This study evaluated the utility of SrMC status as a marker of MC as well as self-reported genital lesions for genital ulcer disease (GUD) among Ugandan men. METHODS Male participants aged 18-49 years in the cross-sectional Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevalence study, conducted between May and October 2019, responded to a questionnaire capturing SrMC status and current genital ulcer symptoms followed by clinical assessment to verify MC and presence of GUD.Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and corresponding CIs (95% CI) for SrMC status and GUD were estimated. RESULTS There were 853 male participants, of whom 470 (55.1%) self-reported being circumcised and 23 (2.7%) self-reported GUD (SrGUD). MC was clinically confirmed in 50.2% (n=428) of participants with sensitivity of SrMC status at 99% (95% CI: 98% to 100%) and specificity 89% (95% CI: 86% to 92%). Specificity of SrMC was lowest among persons living with HIV and viremic (>1000 copies/mL) at 72% (95% CI: 46% to 90%). 18 participants had clinically confirmed GUD, but only 12 SrGUD symptoms, corresponding to a sensitivity and specificity of 67% (95% CI: 41% to 87%) and 99% (95% CI: 98% to 99%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS SrMC status is a robust proxy for clinically confirmed MC status and may reliably be used to assess MC coverage in this setting. Conversely, GUD symptoms were under-reported, which may impact effective syndromic management of sexually transmitted infections and warrants further examination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Godfrey Kigozi
- Rakai Health Sciences Program, Kalisizo, Central Region, Uganda
| | - Xinyi Feng
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Steven Reynolds
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Thomas Quinn
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Division of Intramural Research, Johns Hopkins Medicine School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | | | - Annet Nakayijja
- Rakai Health Sciences Program, Kalisizo, Central Region, Uganda
| | | | - Larry Chang
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Joseph Kagayi
- Rakai Health Sciences Program, Kalisizo, Central Region, Uganda
| | - Aaron Tobian
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mary K Grabowski
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Perkins JM, Kakuhikire B, Baguma C, Jeon S, Walker SF, Dongre R, Kyokunda V, Juliet M, Satinsky EN, Comfort AB, Siedner MJ, Ashaba S, Tsai AC. Male circumcision uptake and misperceived norms about male circumcision: Cross-sectional, population-based study in rural Uganda. J Glob Health 2023; 13:04149. [PMID: 38112224 PMCID: PMC10731132 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.13.04149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Over the past decade, 15 high-priority countries in eastern and southern Africa have promoted voluntary medical male circumcision for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention. The prevalence of male circumcision in Uganda nearly doubled from 26% in 2011 to 43% in 2016, but remains below the 2020 target level. Little is known about how common male circumcision is perceived to be, how accurate such perceptions are, and whether they are associated with men's own circumcision uptake. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of all adult residents of eight villages in Rwampara District, southwestern Uganda in 2020-2022. We elicited their perceptions of the adult male circumcision prevalence within their village: >50% (most men), 10% to <50% (some), <10%, (few to none), or do not know. We compared their perceived norms to the aggregated prevalence of circumcision reported in these villages. We used a modified multivariable Poisson regression model to estimate the association between perceived norms and personal circumcision uptake among men. Results We surveyed 1566 participants (91% response rate): 698 men and 868 women. Among the men, 167 (27%) reported being circumcised, including 167/444 (38%) men <50 years of age. Approximately one-fourth of the population (189 (27%) men and 177 (20%) women) believed that few to no men in their own village had been circumcised. In a multivariable regression model, men who underestimated the prevalence of male circumcision were less likely to be circumcised themselves (adjusted relative risk (aRR) = 0.51; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.37-0.83). Conclusions In this population-based study in rural Uganda, one-fourth of men underestimated the prevalence of male circumcision. Men who underestimated the extent of circumcision uptake were themselves less likely to be circumcised. If the observed association is causal and underestimates within the population contribute to low uptake, then interventions correcting these misperceived norms could increase uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Perkins
- Department of Human and Organizational Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Charles Baguma
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Sehee Jeon
- Department of Human and Organizational Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sarah F Walker
- Department of Human and Organizational Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Rohit Dongre
- Department of Human and Organizational Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Viola Kyokunda
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Mercy Juliet
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Emily N Satinsky
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alison B Comfort
- Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, University of California, San Franciso, California, USA
| | - Mark J Siedner
- Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Alexander C Tsai
- Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Defining the Global Research and Programmatic Agenda and Priority Actions for Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2022; 19:537-547. [PMID: 36367637 PMCID: PMC9651117 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-022-00640-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Since 2007, voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) programs have been associated with substantially reduced HIV incidence across 15 prioritized countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. Drawing on the programmatic experience of global VMMC leaders, this report reviews progress made in the first 15 years of the program, describes programmatic and research gaps, and presents considerations to maximize the impact of VMMC. RECENT FINDINGS Overall, key programmatic and research gaps include a lack of robust male circumcision coverage estimates due to limitations to the data and a lack of standardized approaches across programs; challenges enhancing VMMC uptake include difficulties reaching populations at higher risk for HIV infection and men 30 years and older; limitations to program and procedural quality and safety including variations in approaches used by programs; and lastly, sustainability with limited evidence-based practices. Considerations to address these gaps include the need for global guidance on estimating coverage, conducting additional research on specific sub-populations to improve VMMC uptake, implementation of responsive and comprehensive approaches to adverse event surveillance, and diversifying financing streams to progress towards sustainability. This report's findings may help establish a global VMMC research and programmatic agenda to inform policy, research, and capacity-building activities at the national and global levels.
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Rosen JG, Carrasco MA, Traub AM, Kumoji E‘K. Barriers, benefits, and behaviour: Voluntary medical male circumcision ideation in a population-based sample of Zambian men. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF AIDS RESEARCH : AJAR 2021; 20:314-323. [PMID: 34905454 PMCID: PMC8994851 DOI: 10.2989/16085906.2021.2006727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Reaching ambitious voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) coverage targets requires a deeper understanding of the multifaceted processes shaping men's willingness to access VMMC. Guided by the Ideation Model for Health Communication, this population-based study identifies correlates of Zambian men's future VMMC intentions. Multistage cluster sampling was used to identify households with adult men in 14 districts. Multivariable Poisson regression with robust standard errors modelled associations of future VMMC intent with ideational factors (e.g. perceived benefits and barriers) and sexual behaviours respectively. Forty per cent (40%) of uncircumcised men (N = 1 204) expressed future VMMC intentions. In multivariable analysis, VMMC intent was associated with secondary education or higher (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio [APR] 1.30, 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI]: 1.02-1.66), perceiving VMMC to increase sexual satisfaction (APR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.11-1.89), reporting distance to services as a barrier to VMMC uptake (APR = 0.54, 95% CI: 1.27-1.87), unprotected last sex (APR 1.54, 95% CI: 1.11-2.14), and ≥ 2 sexual partners in the past 12 months (APR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.05-1.99). Being aged ≥ 45 years (vs 18-24 years: APR 0.23, 95% CI: 0.13-0.40) and perceiving that circumcision: (1) is unimportant (APR 0.71, 95% CI: 0.51-0.98); (2) is incompatible with local customs (APR 0.41, 95% CI: 0.18-0.94); or (3) reduces sexual satisfaction (APR 0.10, 95% CI: 0.02-0.62) were inversely associated with future VMMC intent. Demand-creation efforts must confront salient cognitive and social barriers to VMMC uptake, including concerns around incompatibility with local customs. Simultaneously, promotional efforts should emphasise relevant VMMC benefits beyond HIV prevention that resonate with men (e.g. penile hygiene) without reinforcing harmful gender norms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G Rosen
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Maria A Carrasco
- Office of Family Planning and Reproductive Health, United States Agency for International Development, Washington DC, USA
| | - Ariana M Traub
- Office of HIV/AIDS, United States Agency for International Development, Washington DC, USA
| | - E ‘Kuor Kumoji
- Research and Evaluation Division, Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, Baltimore, USA
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Hines JZ, Sachathep K, Pals S, Davis SM, Toledo C, Bronson M, Parekh B, Carrasco M, Xaba S, Mandisarisa J, Kamobyi R, Chituwo O, Kirungi WL, Alamo S, Kabuye G, Awor AC, Mmbando S, Simbeye D, Aupokolo MA, Zemburuka B, Nyirenda R, Msungama W, Tarumbiswa T, Manda R, Nuwagaba-Biribonwoha H, Kiggundu V, Thomas AG, Watts H, Voetsch AC, Williams DB. HIV Incidence by Male Circumcision Status From the Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment Surveys-Eight Sub-Saharan African Countries, 2015-2017. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2021; 87:S89-S96. [PMID: 33765683 PMCID: PMC11187824 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Male circumcision (MC) offers men lifelong partial protection from heterosexually acquired HIV infection. The impact of MC on HIV incidence has not been quantified in nationally representative samples. Data from the population-based HIV impact assessments were used to compare HIV incidence by MC status in countries implementing voluntary medical MC (VMMC) programs. METHODS Data were pooled from population-based HIV impact assessments conducted in Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe from 2015 to 2017. Incidence was measured using a recent infection testing algorithm and analyzed by self-reported MC status distinguishing between medical and nonmedical MC. Country, marital status, urban setting, sexual risk behaviors, and mean population HIV viral load among women as an indicator of treatment scale-up were included in a random-effects logistic regression model using pooled survey weights. Analyses were age stratified (15-34 and 35-59 years). Annualized incidence rates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and incidence differences were calculated between medically circumcised and uncircumcised men. RESULTS Men 15-34 years reporting medical MC had lower HIV incidence than uncircumcised men [0.04% (95% CI: 0.00% to 0.10%) versus 0.34% (95% CI: 0.10% to 0.57%), respectively; P value = 0.01]; whereas among men 35-59 years, there was no significant incidence difference [1.36% (95% CI: 0.32% to 2.39%) versus 0.55% (95% CI: 0.14% to 0.67%), respectively; P value = 0.14]. DISCUSSION Medical MC was associated with lower HIV incidence in men aged 15-34 years in nationally representative surveys in Africa. These findings are consistent with the expected ongoing VMMC program impact and highlight the importance of VMMC for the HIV response in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Z. Hines
- Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Karampreet Sachathep
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Sherri Pals
- Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Stephanie M. Davis
- Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Carlos Toledo
- Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Megan Bronson
- Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Bharat Parekh
- Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Maria Carrasco
- Office of HIV and AIDS, U.S. Agency for International Development, Washington, District of Columbia
| | | | - John Mandisarisa
- Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Omega Chituwo
- Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Stella Alamo
- Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Geoffrey Kabuye
- Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Anna Colletar Awor
- Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Susan Mmbando
- National AIDS Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Daimon Simbeye
- Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Mekondjo A. Aupokolo
- National HIV/AIDS, STI and Hepatitis Control Program, Ministry of Health and Social Services, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Brigitte Zemburuka
- Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Windhoek, Namibia
| | | | - Wezi Msungama
- Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | | | - Robert Manda
- U.S. Agency for International Development, Maseru, Lesotho
| | - Harriet Nuwagaba-Biribonwoha
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mbabane, Eswatini
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York
| | - Valerian Kiggundu
- Office of HIV and AIDS, U.S. Agency for International Development, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Anne G. Thomas
- Defense Health Agency, U.S. Department of Defense, San Diego, California
| | - Heather Watts
- Office of Global AIDS Coordinator, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Andrew C. Voetsch
- Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Dan B. Williams
- Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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Odoyo-June E, Davis S, Owuor N, Laube C, Wambua J, Musingila P, Young PW, Aoko A, Agot K, Joseph R, Mwandi Z, Ojiambo V, Lucas T, Toledo C, Wanyonyi A. Prevalence of male circumcision in four culturally non-circumcising counties in western Kenya after 10 years of program implementation from 2008 to 2019. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254140. [PMID: 34264971 PMCID: PMC8281999 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Kenya started implementing voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) for HIV prevention in 2008 and adopted the use of decision makers program planning tool version 2 (DMPPT2) in 2016, to model the impact of circumcisions performed annually on the population prevalence of male circumcision (MC) in the subsequent years. Results of initial DMPPT2 modeling included implausible MC prevalence estimates, of up to 100%, for age bands whose sustained high uptake of VMMC pointed to unmet needs. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among adolescents and men aged 10-29 years to determine the population level MC prevalence, guide target setting for achieving the goal of 80% MC prevalence and for validating DMPPT2 modelled estimates. METHODS Beginning July to September 2019, a total of 3,569 adolescents and men aged 10-29 years from households in Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay and Migori Counties were interviewed and examined to establish the proportion already circumcised medically or non-medically. We measured agreement between self-reported and physically verified circumcision status and computed circumcision prevalence by age band and County. All statistical were test done at 5% level of significance. RESULTS The observed MC prevalence for 15-29-year-old men was above 75% in all four counties; Homa Bay 75.6% (95% CI [69.0-81.2]), Kisumu 77.9% (95% CI [73.1-82.1]), Siaya 80.3% (95% CI [73.7-85.5]), and Migori 85.3% (95% CI [75.3-91.7]) but were 0.9-12.4% lower than DMPPT2-modelled estimates. For young adolescents 10-14 years, the observed prevalence ranged from 55.3% (95% CI [40.2-69.5]) in Migori to 74.9% (95% CI [68.8-80.2]) in Siaya and were 25.1-32.9% lower than DMMPT 2 estimates. Nearly all respondents (95.5%) consented to physical verification of their circumcision status with an agreement rate of 99.2% between self-reported and physically verified MC status (kappa agreement p-value<0.0001). CONCLUSION This survey revealed overestimation of MC prevalence from DMPPT2-model compared to the observed population MC prevalence and provided new reference data for setting realistic program targets and re-calibrating inputs into DMPPT2. Periodic population-based MC prevalence surveys, especially for established programs, can help reconcile inconsistencies between VMMC program uptake data and modeled MC prevalence estimates which are based on the number of procedures reported in the program annually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elijah Odoyo-June
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of HIV & TB, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stephanie Davis
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of HIV & TB Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | | | - Catey Laube
- Jhpiego, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | | | - Paul Musingila
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of HIV & TB, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Peter W. Young
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of HIV & TB, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Appolonia Aoko
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of HIV & TB, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Kawango Agot
- Impact Research and Development Organization (IRDO), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Rachael Joseph
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of HIV & TB, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | | | - Todd Lucas
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of HIV & TB Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Carlos Toledo
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of HIV & TB Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Ambrose Wanyonyi
- National AIDS and STI Control Program (NASCOP), Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
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Hines JZ, Thompson R, Toledo C, Nelson R, Casavant I, Pals S, Canda M, Bonzela J, Jaramillo A, Cardoso J, Ujamaa D, Tamele S, Chivurre V, Malimane I, Pathmanathan I, Heitzinger K, Wei S, Couto A, Come J, Vergara A, MacKellar D. Prevalence of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision for HIV Infection Prevention - Chókwè District, Mozambique, 2014-2019. MMWR-MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT 2021; 70:942-946. [PMID: 34197361 PMCID: PMC8248593 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7026a2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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George C, Roberts R, Deveaux L, Brennen DFP, Read SE. "Getting to Zero New HIV Infections in the Caribbean": Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Male Circumcision Among Adolescent Males in The Bahamas. Am J Mens Health 2020; 13:1557988319872074. [PMID: 31431104 PMCID: PMC6704421 DOI: 10.1177/1557988319872074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Male circumcision (MC) plays a significant role in reducing new HIV infections, particularly in high prevalence countries. This cross-sectional study assesses the prevalence of MC and attitudes toward MC among youth aged 15-18 years in The Bahamas, a medium HIV prevalence country. The survey included 797 young men who completed a questionnaire on MC. Data analyses included chi-squared tests. The self-reported prevalence of MC among youth was 16.7% (121/759). Most of the circumcised youth were circumcised as infants, 84% (107/121) were pleased with their circumcision, and 71% would recommend it to others. For uncircumcised youth, 35% (189/533) would consider voluntary male circumcision (VMC) and 26% would recommend MC to others. In all scenarios, circumcised youth were more likely to be positive about MC. Among uncircumcised young men, being older (17-18 years compared to 15-16 years) was the only variable statistically associated with considering MC or recommending MC. After being presented with information on the benefits of MC for HIV prevention, the number of men who were positive about MC increased. Most of the young men in this cohort would consider VMC for reducing HIV incidence. Also, many stated that, if they had a male child, they would have him circumcised. The attitudes of these youth emphasize the need to provide information on HIV in addition to general health benefits of MC if there were to be a sustainable MC program within this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemon George
- 1 University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, ON, Canada.,5 Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados
| | - Robin Roberts
- 2 UWI School of Clinical Medicine and Research, Nassau, Bahamas
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Ortblad KF, Harling G, Chimbindi N, Tanser F, Salomon JA, Bärnighausen T. Does Incident Circumcision Lead to Risk Compensation? Evidence From a Population Cohort in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2019; 80:269-275. [PMID: 30531298 PMCID: PMC6375765 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Voluntary medical male circumcision reduces men's risk of HIV acquisition and may thus increase HIV risk-related sexual behaviors through risk compensation. We analyze longitudinal data from one of Africa's largest population cohorts using fixed-effects panel estimation to measure the effect of incident circumcision on sexual behaviors. SETTING KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. METHODS An open population cohort of men was followed from 2009 to 2015. Men self-reported their circumcision status and sexual behavior annually. We used linear regression models with individual-level fixed effects to measure the effect of incident circumcision on recent sex (past 12 months) and sexual behaviors that increase HIV risk (not using a condom at last sex, never using condoms with the most recent sexual partner, concurrent sexual partners at present, and multiple sexual partners in the past 12 months). We controlled for potential time-varying confounders: calendar year, age, education, and sexual debut. RESULTS The 5127 men in the cohort had a median age of 18 years (interquartile range 16-24) at cohort entry. Over the study period, almost 1 in 5 of these men (19.4%) became newly circumcised. Incident circumcision affected neither recent sex [percentage point (PP) change 0.0, 95% confidence interval: -1.2 to 1.3] nor sexual behaviors that increase HIV risk (PP -1.6, 95% confidence interval: -4.5 to 1.4). CONCLUSIONS The data from this study strongly reject the hypothesis that circumcision affects sexual risk-taking. Risk compensation should not serve as an argument against increased and accelerated scale-up of circumcision in this and similar communities in South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guy Harling
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Natsayi Chimbindi
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Frank Tanser
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Joshua A. Salomon
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Till Bärnighausen
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
- Insititue of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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Ortblad KF, Bärnighausen T, Chimbindi N, Masters SH, Salomon JA, Harling G. Predictors of male circumcision incidence in a traditionally non-circumcising South African population-based cohort. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0209172. [PMID: 30566506 PMCID: PMC6300268 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Voluntary medical male circumcision has been promoted in high HIV prevalence settings to prevent HIV acquisition in males. However, the uptake of circumcision in many sub-Saharan African settings remains low. While many studies have measured circumcision prevalence, understanding circumcision incidence and its predictors is vital to achieving ambitious circumcision prevalence targets. SETTING Rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. METHODS We measured circumcision incidence over the period 2009-2014 in a longitudinal population-based cohort with high HIV prevalence and low circumcision prevalence. Multivariable survival models with Weibull distributions were used to assess socio-demographic, behavioral and biological predictors of circumcision incidence. RESULTS Between 2009 and 2014, circumcision prevalence among males 15-49 years in the cohort increased from 3% to 24%. Among 6,203 males 15-49 years, 873 new circumcisions occurred over 13,678 person-years (incidence rate: 6.4/100 person-years, 95% CI 6.0-6.8). Circumcision incidence was substantially higher amongst young males: 15-19 year olds were twice as likely to circumcise as older males. In the survival model, shorter household distance to the nearest healthcare facility, knowledge of HIV status and biological HIV-negative status were associated with an increased likelihood of circumcision incidence. CONCLUSIONS Circumcision prevalence among males in rural KwaZulu-Natal remains well below South Africa's national 80% coverage target across age groups. In this population, distance to the nearest healthcare facility and knowledge of HIV status were important independent predictors of circumcision incidence. Mobile circumcision clinics and innovative HIV testing services may be important tools to help achieve circumcision targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina F. Ortblad
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Till Bärnighausen
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Africa Health Research Institute, Mtubatuba, South Africa
- Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Samuel H. Masters
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Joshua A. Salomon
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Guy Harling
- Africa Health Research Institute, Mtubatuba, South Africa
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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