Women’s knowledge and perception of male circumcision before and after its roll-out in the South African township of Orange Farm from community-based cross-sectional surveys

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173595
• Publication Date: 2017-03-24T13:30:31Z
• Authors: Barbara Maraux; Pascale Lissouba; Reathe Rain-Taljaard; Dirk Taljaard; Julie Bouscaillou; David Lewis; Adrian Puren; Bertran Auvert
• Keywords: Cross-sectional study; Sexual intercourse

The roll-out of medical male circumcision (MC) is progressing in Southern and Eastern Africa. Little known about the effect this on women. objective study was to assess knowledge perceptions women regarding MC a setting before after roll-out. This conducted South African township Orange Farm where prevalence among men increased from 17% 53% period 2008-2010. Data three community-based cross sectional surveys 2007, 2010 2012 1258, 1197 2583 adult women, respectively were studied. In 2012, 73.7% reported preference for circumcised partners, 87.9% knew that could become infected with HIV. A total 95.8% preferred have their children circumcised. These proportions significantly during corresponding values 64.4%, 82.9% 80.4%, respectively. Among 2581 having had sexual intercourse uncircumcised men, majority (55.8%, 1440/2581) agreed it easier man use condom, 20.5% (530/2581) disagreed; 23.07 (611/2581) did not know. However, some incorrectly stated they fully (32/2579; 1.2%; 95%CI: 0.9% 1.7%) or partially (233/2579; 9.0%; 8.0% 10.2%) protected when unprotected sex HIV-positive partner. shows favorable perception relatively correct VMMC VMMC. When possible, should participate promotion although further effort be made improve knowledge.