Low circumcision and high rates of heterosexual
acquired HIV infections are among factors that
have “influenced” Zambia to adopt, encourage and
spearhead Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision
(VMMC) as a preventive tool against HIV
infection. Circumcision has been portrayed as the
single most important “panacea” or “magic bullet”
to HIV prevention in some circles of the Zambian
society and many African countries. In this respect,
this study aimed at answering two questions: Does
circumcision influence risky sexual behaviour
among circumcised men in Zambia? And; how do
socio-economic and demographic characteristics
influence such behaviour? Data for men age 15–59
years interviewed during the 2013–14 Zambia
Demographic and Health Survey was used. A total
of 14773 men were included in the sample. Logistic
regression - the odds ratio - was used to assess the
association between circumcision on one hand and
socio-economic and demographic characteristics as
well as risky sexual behaviours on the other hand.
Men aged 35-45 and 45-54 were likely to report
being circumcised comparatively (OR=0.691,
p<0.001; OR=0.761, p<0.047). Men aged 45-54
were more likely to engage in risky sexual
behaviour (OR=0.397, p<0.0001). Being
married/living with a partner and being formerly
married were highly associated with risky sexual
behaviour (OR=0.0004, p<0.0001). In terms of
wealth quintile, being in the rich bracket is highly
associated with engaging in risky sexual behaviour
(OR=1.396, p<0.026). Other sexual characteristics
such as having two or more non-marital sexual
partners was also highly associated with
circumcision (OR=0.085, p<0.014). However,
paying for sex, taking alcohol before sex and using
a condom at last sexual intercourse with noncohabiting
sexual partner were not associated with
circumcision status (OR=0.906, p<0.42; OR=0.846,
p<0.138 and OR=0.906, p<0.420). There is strong
evidence suggesting that men who are circumcised
are also having two or more extra non-cohabiting
sexual partners. Proponents of VMMC require to
up their messages to ensure complete adherence to
safe sexual messages, behaviour and practice if
transmission of HIV and other STIs is to be halted
and reversed.