Access and uptake of safe male circumcision in Tororo Municipality

Abstract

The study was carried out in Tororo Municipality. The main purpose of the study was to investigate the access and uptake of safe male circumcision in Tororo Municipality. The research methodology for the study was a cross-sectional research design. The sample size was 271 respondents and purposive and cluster sampling were applied in selecting the respondents who were included in the sample. The researcher used questionnaires and interview guide to collect data. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 at univariate and bivariate levels. The findings indicate a strong correlation between motivations for receiving SMC and uptake (correlation value: .500, p-value: .000). Factors such as the influence of others (correlation value: .452, p-value: .000) and the location of SMC services (correlation value: .315, p-value: .000) also show significant positive correlations with SMC uptake. The study shows strong positive correlations between several perception-based factors and SMC uptake, such as recommending SMC for sons (correlation value: .963, p-value: .000), the belief that SMC reduces HIV transmission (correlation value: .837, p-value: .000), and the importance of circumcision (correlation value: .905, p-value: .000). Perceptions related to sexual pleasure and social desirability show strong correlations with SMC uptake, Traditional beliefs against SMC and religious opposition exhibit positive correlations (correlation values: .287 to .886, p-values: .000). The study concluded that positive perceptions regarding the health benefits of SMC, such as reducing HIV transmission and promoting penile hygiene, are strongly correlated with higher circumcision uptake rates. Cultural beliefs, religious considerations, challenges like facility availability and transportation costs, and the presence of approachable health workers influence SMC uptake in Tororo Municipality. The study recommended implementation of community-based educational programs, training of healthcare providers on effective communication strategies and ensure they are approachable and culturally sensitive and qualitative research should be conducted to explore in-depth cultural perceptions and beliefs regarding SMC among different ethnic and religious groups