Attitudes of preinitiates towards traditional male circumcision in the context of HIV in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess attitudes of preinitiates towards traditional Male Circumcision (MC) in the context of HIV. The sample included 350 Xhosa preinitiates recruited from 3 different recruitment sites during the preparation prior to MC in the Eastern Cape province. Results indicated that: 10% were to be circumcised before their sexual debut and reported a great deal of sexual risk behavior; 9% had been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection in the past 12 months; 20% reported that they had had 3 or more sex partners in their lives; and 47% had not used a condom the last time they had sex. Reasons and attitudes, including barriers, towards MC as well as risky sexual behavior found in this study need to be considered in MC programming.