Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Background
Studies on male circumcision have provided evidence on its efficacy for partial protection against heterosexual HIV transmission in circumcised men. WHO and UNAIDS formulated recommendations to incorporate male circumcision in HIV prevention programs, which included implementation of infant male circumcision. Iringa been exposed to information on adopting male circumcision, and targets for adults circumcision have been met. However, the uptake of infant male circumcision was low delaying the catch up with adult circumcision. This raised the need to understand the factors influencing the uptake.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with uptake of circumcision among infants of parents attending RCH clinic in Mufindi District
Methodology: This was analytical cross section study. A sample of 664 parent-baby pairs were systematically selected at RCH clinics in three health facilities that provided RCH and IMC services in Mufindi District. Data was collected through scheduled interviews.
We performed univariate analysis for descriptive measures, bivariate and multivariate analysis to determine association between infant circumcision and independent variables. The outcomes were reported as odds ratios (OR) and their associated 95% confidence intervals
Results: The proportion of IMC in Mufindi district was found to be 43.2 %. Attitude was found to be positive in 61% of the participants and found to be the factor for uptake by 66.1% (95% CI 0.02, 0.75, P 0.034). Non uptake was associated with fear of complications in 17.5% and other respondents 45.1% thought infants are too young for the procedure.
Conclusion: The study findings show that IMC uptake is associated with attitude of the parents on IMC. The other factors are religion, nature of economic activities. Hygiene and protection against HIV infection were the main reasons for circumcision, and fear of complications and young age were the main factors for non uptake. The parents preferred circumcision to be conducted after infancy.
