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Multicenter Study
. 2012 Feb;16(2):340-9.
doi: 10.1007/s10461-011-9929-7.

Acceptability of male circumcision among adolescent boys and their parents, Botswana

Oluwemimo Jayeoba  1 , Scott Dryden-Peterson, Lillian Okui, Laura Smeaton, Jane Magetse, Lillian Makori, Venice Modikwa, Mpho Mogodi, Rebeca Plank, Shahin Lockman
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Acceptability of male circumcision among adolescent boys and their parents, Botswana

Oluwemimo Jayeoba et al. AIDS Behav. 2012 Feb.

Abstract

Little is known of the acceptability of male circumcision (MC) to adolescent boys, a key target group for HIV prevention. We conducted a cluster design survey among adolescent boys and their parents/guardians in two villages in Botswana. Of 1300 households visited, 398 boys were eligible; 269 boys and 210 parents/guardians participated. MC was described correctly by 80% of boys, and 76% identified that MC reduces the risk of male HIV acquisition. After a brief informational session, 75% of boys stated that they would definitely want to be circumcised and 96% of parents/guardians would want their boy circumcised. Boys most frequently reported pain (49%) and possible health problems (19%) as concerns undergoing MC; concerns about peer or partner acceptance, sexual function, or cultural appropriateness were uncommon. Adolescent MC is likely to be highly acceptable in Botswana if done safely, for free and with adequate pain control in a hospital setting.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Acceptability of adolescent circumcision
Panel A displays the responses of uncircumcised adolescents, before and after the informational session, to the question, “would you want to be circumcised if it could be done safety and free of charge?” Panel B shows the proportion of adolescents, and their parents/guardians, who report that they would “definitely want” to be circumcised, or have their boy/ward circumcised by study village
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