THE FACTORS AFFECTING UPTAKE OF VOLUNTARY MEDICAL MALE CIRCUMCISION SERVICES AMONG ADULT MALES AGED 15–50 YEARS ATTENDING NAKIVALE HEALTH CENTER III ISINGIRO

Abstract

Medical male circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin which covers the penis of a male human being. Circumcision is believed to be one of the oldest and common procedures which has been done for various reasons ranging from cultural rituals, religious, and medical purposes (Sgaier et al., 2014). Traditional male circumcision has been in existence even during the times of the Old Testament. In Uganda, the Bugisu region (eastern Uganda) is regarded the birthplace of Traditional Male Circumcision (TMC) in Uganda. Common belief holds that the first male circumcision was performed in the region centuries ago. (Sabet Sarvestani et al., 2012). One hundred twenty-four (124) adult males were selected to participate in the study, and only one hundred twenty (120) adult males fully completed the study, yielding a response rate of 98.8%. On age majority of subjects were aged between 18 to 39 years 106(76.8%) and least were aged 40-49 years 14(10.1%). This study results revealed that most of the participants had received VMMC (65.2%) and received it from the health facility (68.8%). The prevalence of male circumcision in Nakivale HC III, Isingiro district was 62.5%. Education level, religion and occupation were independent significant demographic factor associated with VMMC uptake. The results of this study revealed gaps in knowledge and factors affecting VMMC, we therefore recommend that independent stake holders need no improve on sensitizing the society about VMMC through linking with nursing institutions to help in making up camps and outreaches and community education to these remote areas.