Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude on Male Circumcision towards Reduction of HIV/AIDS among Residents of Ishaka Town Council-Uganda

Circumcision is a surgical process of removing the prepuce of the penis due to religious, cultural or medical reasons. The World Health Organization have given statistical evidence that indicates male circumcision significantly reduces the risk of HIV in men. However, the practice is not shared along cultural and religious divides as some cultures and religions do not accept this practice. In this study, a cross section and descriptive survey was conducted in Bushenyi district with the aim of determining the amount of knowledge and attitudes towards circumcision of Ishaka town male residents towards reduction of HIV/AIDS incidence. Open and closed ended questionnaires were used to assess 100 respondents after all ethical procedures were followed. The results of this study noted that all respondents (100 %) understood the meaning of circumcision but 63 % agreed that men should be circumcised at an adult age and not during infancy. While 54 % of the participants believed that circumcision is done on religious grounds, 72 % of the above preferred it be done from the hospital not at home. It was also noted that 63 % of the participants believed that circumcision reduces HIV/AIDS. Taking these results into consideration, even though the community knew more about circumcision, more health education and promotion is still needed with particular emphasis on its medical benefits. Moreover, the community should also be encouraged to go for medical circumcision instead of the risky traditional methods.