Factors associated with acceptability of child circumcision in Botswana - a cross sectional survey

Type Journal Article - BMC Public Health
Title Factors associated with acceptability of child circumcision in Botswana - a cross sectional survey
Author(s)
Volume 16
Issue 1
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2016
Page numbers 1053
URL https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-016-3722-5?utm_campaign=BMC_TrendM​D&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=TrendMD
Abstract
Background
Safe male child circumcision has been recently adopted as a potential strategy to prevent HIV/AIDS transmission in later life in Botswana.

Methods
Data used was derived from a cross-sectional survey, the Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS) IV, conducted in 2013. A total sample of 7984 respondents in ages 15–64 years who had successfully completed the individual questionnaire during the survey were selected and included for analysis. Both descriptive and multivariable analyses were used to explore factors associated with acceptability of child circumcision. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22 program.

Results
Results indicate that about 84 % of participants said they would circumcise their male children aged 18 years and below, while 93 % were aware of the safe male circumcision program. Bivariate analyses results show that acceptability of child circumcision was significantly associated with sex, age, education, religion, residence, HIV status of the parent, fathers circumcision status, father's intention to circumcise and parent's knowledge about the safe male circumcision program. Multivariable analyses results indicate positive association between respondent's HIV positive status (OR, 3.5), Men's circumcision status (OR, 3.7), men's intention to circumcise (OR, 9.3) and acceptability of child circumcision.

Conclusion
Results of this study indicate some relatively high acceptability levels for child circumcision. Some individual behavioural factors influencing acceptability of child circumcision were also identified. This study provides a proper understanding of factors associated with acceptability of child circumcision which will ultimately enhance the successful roll-out of the school going children circumcision program in Botswana.

Related studies

»