Knowledge, perception and practice of safe male circumcision towards hiv prevention among male students in selected public secondary schools in Ishaka-bushenyi Municipality.

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Date
2018-10
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Kampala International University. School of Health Sciences (Western Campus)
Abstract
Introduction: The government of Uganda developed a policy of safe male circumcision in January 2010 to be part of basic health care services with the aim of reducing the risk of spread of HIV infection. However, the decision to conduct safe male circumcision carries various cultural and ethical challenges. Little is known about whether male circumcision interventions would be acceptable or feasible in traditionally non-circumcising areas of Africa. The study was intended to examine some of the underlying social factors associated to knowledge, perception and practice of male circumcision among the male students in selected secondary schools in Ishaka-Bushenyi municipality that may contribute to the challenges in implementing the policy. Objective: To assess the knowledge, perception and practice of male circumcision towards HIV prevention among male students in selected secondary schools in Ishaka-Bushenyi municipality. Method: A descriptive cross sectional study using quantitative methods of data collection was used. A total of 412 students took part in the study. Results: Despite good knowledge pertaining male circumcision, perceptions and uptake were not impressive. Only 74(18.03%) of the respondents had been circumcised. 54(13.11%) had been circumcised in infancy or childhood for religious reasons (Muslims) while the remaining 20 stated cultural/traditional reasons for their circumcision. Conclusion: The uptake of male circumcision among the secondary school students of Bushenyi is low with satisfactory knowledge but a negative perception towards MC. More needs to be done in terms of awareness creation and cultural change as far as MC is concerned.
Description
A research dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment for the award of Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery At Kampala International University
Keywords
HIV prevention among male students, Perception and practice of safe male circumcision
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