Perception of the Bukusus on Traditional Male Circumcision Practices and their Risks, Bungoma District, Kenya

Male circumcision is the surgical removal of all or part of the foreskin of the penis without damaging the organ itself. It is one of the oldest and common procedures worldwide. Male Circumcision is traditionally practised among the Bukusus of Bungoma District, Western Province. However, this practise has had several implications on the community and the initiates involved. This study sought to investigate the perceptions of the Bukusus on traditional male circumcision practices and their risks. This study utilized a survey research design in which data was collected on a number of variables simultaneously and at one point in time. The target population consisted of all circumcised boys between 12 15 years in class 8 of primary schools in Bukembe location of Kanduyi division. Purposive sampling was used to select 100 boys from class eight and 40 parents from their households. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire and an interview schedule. Secondary data was collected from documented information about circumcision. The data collected was coded and analyzed descriptively using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 11.5. Based on the findings, the study established that traditional circumcision preserves history and maintains the culture of the community of the people that practices it. It was also established that there is a high possibility of disease infection due to sharing of one knife on more than one initiate, since those special knives for circumcisers are few, thus proper precautions should be taken to prevent disease transmission. Basing on the findings of the study, it was recommended that, traditional surgeons should be subjected to circumcision training, wound dressing and treatment, and after completion of the training be awarded with certificates. It also recommended that parents of the initiates should be advised to have their own instruments, which should be disposed after use on their children.