Medical reasons for performing adult male circumcisions in Swaziland

Abstract

Following recommendations by the world Health Organization, Swaziland has adopted mass male circumcision in an effort to reduce sexual transmission of HIV. Few Swazi men request circumcisions despite nation-wide circumcision campaigns. This implies that the reduction of the probability of HIV transmission, through circumcision, might not be a sufficient cause to convince people to undergo circumcision. It is thus necessary to reinforce this drive with other motives, such as medical reasons, to boost the acceptance of circumcision. However, it was uncertain whether there were any prevalent medical problems warranting adult male circumcisions in Swaziland. This study aimed at identifying medical reasons that motivated men to undergo circumcisions in Swaziland. A generic qualitative study was conducted, in which 17 men were interviewed individually. Data were coded, grouped and themes identified. Results showed that medical problems warranting circumcision included congenital abnormalities and delicacy of the foreskin, which interfered with cosmetic and sexual functions of the penis. Medical reasons could be used as relevant additional motives for circumcision in Swaziland to reduce HIV transmission. It is recommended that medical reasons for circumcision be incorporated into Swaziland's national mass circumcision campaigns.