Uptake and perceptions of voluntary medical male circumcision among HIV-negative men in serodiscordant relationships in Zambia (2012–2015)

Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) is a recommended HIV prevention strategy that few studies have promoted to HIV-negative men in serodiscordant relationships. We conducted a cross-sectional study on uptake and perceptions of VMMC among serodiscordant couples between 2012 and 2015. Heterosex...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one Vol. 19; no. 11; p. e0309295
Main Authors: Malama, Kalonde, Allen, Susan, Parker, Rachel, Inambao, Mubiana, Sharkey, Tyronza, Tichacek, Amanda, Wall, Kristin M., Kilembe, William
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Public Library of Science 08.11.2024
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Subjects:
Adult
Care and treatment
Circumcision
Circumcision, Male - psychology
Complications and side effects
Consent
Counseling
Couples
Cross-Sectional Studies
Disease prevention
Female
Females
Health aspects
HIV
HIV (Viruses)
HIV Infections - epidemiology
HIV Infections - prevention & control
HIV Infections - psychology
HIV Seronegativity
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Male
Men
Middle Aged
Perception
Provinces
Questionnaires
Sexual Partners - psychology
Sociodemographics
Traditions
Young Adult
Zambia - epidemiology
Zambia
ISSN:1932-6203, 1932-6203
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) is a recommended HIV prevention strategy that few studies have promoted to HIV-negative men in serodiscordant relationships. We conducted a cross-sectional study on uptake and perceptions of VMMC among serodiscordant couples between 2012 and 2015. Heterosexual couples attending couples voluntary counselling and testing for HIV who had discordant results (M-, F+) were referred for VMMC. At least one month after counselling and referral, 343 men were surveyed on uptake and perceptions of VMMC. A subset of 134 uncircumcised men responded to another survey assessing their intention to uptake VMMC and reasons for not getting circumcised. Forty percent (n = 62) of men eligible for VMMC either up took (n = 22) or planned to uptake circumcision (n = 40). The most cited reasons for not getting circumcised were the inability to get time off work (34%) and culture/traditions (26%). These findings support integrated approaches, pairing evidence-based HIV prevention interventions such as couples voluntary counselling and testing with VMMC, and targeting men at highest risk for HIV. Additional counselling may be needed for couples whose cultural backgrounds do not support VMMC.
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ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0309295