Women’s role in male circumcision promotion in Rakai, Uganda

Bibliographic Data

ID19442297
AuthorsNeema Nakyanjo (0000-0002-1908-7957, Rakai Health Sciences Program, corresponding author), Danielle Piccinini (Center for Communications Programs, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA), Alice Kisakye (Rakai Health Sciences Program), Ping Teresa Yeh (0000-0002-7425-0382, Department of International Health, Social and Behavioral Interventions Program, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA), William G Ddaaki (0000-0002-2395-7003, Rakai Health Sciences Program), William Ddaaki (Rakai Health Sciences Program), Godfrey Kigozi (0009-0008-9142-6870, Rakai Health Sciences Program), Ronald H Gray (0000-0003-1952-6507, Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA), Caitlin E Kennedy (0000-0001-6820-063X, Department of International Health, Social and Behavioral Interventions Program, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA)
Year2019
Volume31
Issue4
Pages443-450
Publication date2019-04-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAIDS Care (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0954-0121 • E-ISSN: 1360-0451
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09540121.2018.1500009
PMID30010413
OpenAlexW2884301149
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited39

Medical male circumcision (MMC) has expanded in sub-Saharan Africa, yet uptake remains sub-optimal. We sought to understand women's perceptions of and influence on MMC in Rakai, Uganda. We conducted in-depth interviews with 27 women in fishing and trading communities, including women married to circumcised and uncircumcised men, single women, and sex workers. Data analysis followed a team-based framework approach. All female participants preferred circumcised men because of perceived reduced HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk, improved penile hygiene, and increased sexual pleasure. Perceived negative aspects included abstinence during wound healing, potentially increased male sexual risk behaviors, fear of being blamed for HIV acquisition, and economic insecurity due to time off work. Participants felt women could persuade their partners to be circumcised, accompany them to the clinic, refuse sex with uncircumcised men, and participate in community MMC activities. Findings support women's important role in MMC acceptance

Abstinence · Environmental health · Family medicine · Male circumcision · Perception · Political science · Population · Psychiatry · Risk perception · Sex work · Demography · Ethics and Legal Issues in Pediatric Healthcare · Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Issues · Genital Health and Disease · Medicine · Psychology