Knowledge, attitudes and acceptance of male circumcision among HIV lay counsellors in Nkangala district, South Africa

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and acceptance of male circumcision among HIV lay counsellors in Nkangala district, South Africa. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 117 HIV lay counsellors in 71 health facilities in one health district (Nkangala) in Mpumalanga province in South Africa. Results indicate that their male circumcision knowledge was poor, that a large majority would support the circumcision of their son(s) and were in favour of the integration of male circumcision as one of the HIV prevention methods into HIV counselling and testing. Male circumcision knowledge and the general perception that male circumcision was carried out because of medical reasons were associated with the acceptability of circumcision of the sons.