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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Medical male circumcision and HIV risk: Perceptions of women in a higher learning institution in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Sexual Health, Volume 10, No. 2, Year 2013
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Description
Background Medical male circumcision (MMC) reduces the risk of HIV acquisition for men in heterosexual encounters by 50-60%. However, there is no evidence that a circumcised man with HIV poses any less risk of infecting his female partner than an uncircumcised man. There may be an additional risk of HIV transmission to female partners during the 6-week healing period and if condoms are used less often after circumcision. The aim was to explore young women's perspectives on MMC, with a view to developing clear messages about the limitations of MMC in reducing women's HIV risk. Methods: We explored women's perspectives on MMC in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, with a sample of 30 female tertiary students via four focus groups (two for women only; two mixed gender). Results: In all groups, women communicated a thorough understanding of the partial efficacy of MMC, but believed that others would not understand this concept. Participants noted that MMC affords no direct benefit to women. Most thought that MMC would increase females' risk of contracting HIV, that circumcised men may engage in risky behaviours and that men would increase their number of sexual partners after circumcision. Participants believed that condom use would decrease after MMC and speculated that men would have sex during the healing period, which could further compromise women's sexual health. Conclusion: The concerns expressed by women regarding MMC highlight the need for including women in the dialogue about MMC and for clarifying the impact of MMC on HIV risk for women. © 2013 CSIRO.
Authors & Co-Authors
Mantell, Joanne E.
United States, New York
New York State Psychiatric Institute
Smit, Jennifer Ann
South Africa, Johannesburg
University of the Witwatersrand
South Africa, Durban
University of Kwazulu-natal
Saffitz, Jane L.
United States, New York
New York State Psychiatric Institute
United States, Davis
University of California, Davis
Milford, Cecilia
South Africa, Johannesburg
University of the Witwatersrand
Mosery, Nzwakie F.
South Africa, Johannesburg
University of the Witwatersrand
Mabude, Zonke A.
South Africa, Johannesburg
University of the Witwatersrand
Tesfay, Nonkululeko
South Africa, Johannesburg
University of the Witwatersrand
Sibiya, Sibusiso
South Africa, Johannesburg
University of the Witwatersrand
Rambally, Letitia
South Africa, Johannesburg
University of the Witwatersrand
Masvawure, Tsitsi Beatrice
United States, New York
New York State Psychiatric Institute
Kelvin, Elizabeth A.
United States, New York
New York State Psychiatric Institute
United States, New York
Hunter College
United States, New York
Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center
Stein, Zena A.
United States, New York
New York State Psychiatric Institute
Statistics
Citations: 20
Authors: 12
Affiliations: 6
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1071/SH12067
ISSN:
14485028
e-ISSN:
14498987
Research Areas
Infectious Diseases
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Study Locations
South Africa
Participants Gender
Male
Female