To cut or not to cut: factors influencing the uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision among older men in Gweru, Zimbabwe.

Despite compelling evidence on the efficacy of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision as an HIV prevention strategy, Zimbabwe has experienced a low uptake of the procedure. Informed by the culture centred approach to health communication the study examined beliefs of older men (i.e., over the age of 25...

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Main Authors: Maseko, Mpikelelo M., Maphosa, Sibangilizwe, Mutambara, Julia, Bangiza, Witness
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Midlands State University 2017
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Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/11408/1963
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author Maseko, Mpikelelo M.
Maphosa, Sibangilizwe
Mutambara, Julia
Bangiza, Witness
author_facet Maseko, Mpikelelo M.
Maphosa, Sibangilizwe
Mutambara, Julia
Bangiza, Witness
author_sort Maseko, Mpikelelo M.
collection DSpace
description Despite compelling evidence on the efficacy of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision as an HIV prevention strategy, Zimbabwe has experienced a low uptake of the procedure. Informed by the culture centred approach to health communication the study examined beliefs of older men (i.e., over the age of 25) on the perceived barriers and facilitators to the uptake of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision. Using a qualitative descriptive design, researchers collected data from an intensity sample of 36 participants. Data was collected through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. The researchers isolated themes by identifying recurrent words and phrases into thematic categories. Barriers to Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision related to the pain associated with the procedure, historical cultural practices of shaming circumcised men, partner suspicions and resistance, fear of complications, and the six weeks sex abstinence period. Facilitators included the belief that the procedure reduced the risk of HIV infection, reduced the risk of sexual transmitted infection, and cervical cancer. These findings suggest the need to factor in the role of cultural practices in traditionally non-circumcising groups in Zimbabwe. Further there is a need to co-opt women as female partners of married men play a significant role in the decision whether or not to take up the procedure.
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spelling ir-11408-19632022-06-27T13:49:06Z To cut or not to cut: factors influencing the uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision among older men in Gweru, Zimbabwe. Maseko, Mpikelelo M. Maphosa, Sibangilizwe Mutambara, Julia Bangiza, Witness HIV/AIDS, Circumcision, older men, married couples barriers, facilitators, prevention Despite compelling evidence on the efficacy of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision as an HIV prevention strategy, Zimbabwe has experienced a low uptake of the procedure. Informed by the culture centred approach to health communication the study examined beliefs of older men (i.e., over the age of 25) on the perceived barriers and facilitators to the uptake of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision. Using a qualitative descriptive design, researchers collected data from an intensity sample of 36 participants. Data was collected through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. The researchers isolated themes by identifying recurrent words and phrases into thematic categories. Barriers to Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision related to the pain associated with the procedure, historical cultural practices of shaming circumcised men, partner suspicions and resistance, fear of complications, and the six weeks sex abstinence period. Facilitators included the belief that the procedure reduced the risk of HIV infection, reduced the risk of sexual transmitted infection, and cervical cancer. These findings suggest the need to factor in the role of cultural practices in traditionally non-circumcising groups in Zimbabwe. Further there is a need to co-opt women as female partners of married men play a significant role in the decision whether or not to take up the procedure. 2017-05-24T16:51:59Z 2017-05-24T16:51:59Z 2016 Article 1815-9036 http://hdl.handle.net/11408/1963 en The Dyke: A Journal of the Midlands State University;Vol. 10, No. 1: p. 51-70 open Midlands State University
spellingShingle HIV/AIDS, Circumcision, older men, married couples barriers, facilitators, prevention
Maseko, Mpikelelo M.
Maphosa, Sibangilizwe
Mutambara, Julia
Bangiza, Witness
To cut or not to cut: factors influencing the uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision among older men in Gweru, Zimbabwe.
title To cut or not to cut: factors influencing the uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision among older men in Gweru, Zimbabwe.
title_full To cut or not to cut: factors influencing the uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision among older men in Gweru, Zimbabwe.
title_fullStr To cut or not to cut: factors influencing the uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision among older men in Gweru, Zimbabwe.
title_full_unstemmed To cut or not to cut: factors influencing the uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision among older men in Gweru, Zimbabwe.
title_short To cut or not to cut: factors influencing the uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision among older men in Gweru, Zimbabwe.
title_sort to cut or not to cut: factors influencing the uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision among older men in gweru, zimbabwe.
topic HIV/AIDS, Circumcision, older men, married couples barriers, facilitators, prevention
url http://hdl.handle.net/11408/1963
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