A Longitudinal Study on Womens Knowledge of Male Circumcision, and its Influencing Factors in Zambia

Abstract

Herbert Tato Nyirenda, Selestine Nzala, Chris Mweemba, Herbert B C Nyirenda, Tambulani C Nyirenda

 Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate Women’s Knowledge of Male Circumcision and its influencing factors between 2011 and 2013.

Methods: The study was a prospective cohort study of post-Male Circumcision sexual behavior in Zambia and sampled a total of 1350 women aged 15-29 years. The study followed up women and collected data in three rounds using a self-administered structured questionnaire. The type of analysis involved univariate, bivariate and multivariate.

Results: Close to three-quarters (72.5%) of the respondents had heard or were aware of male circumcision before it was described to them. Less than one third (29%) had average knowledge at baseline. The odds of having good and average knowledge versus poor knowledge was greater for following women; single women with circumcised primary sex partners (OR: 2.1, P<0.001, CI: 1.39-3.21); women who talked to a circumcised partner about male circumcision (OR: 2.12, P<0.001, CI: 1.93-2.31); women aged 20 to 29 years; women who had some education; women who were aware about male circumcision and had talked to a family member about male circumcision.

Conclusion: It is evident from the findings that male circumcision campaigns might have failed to correctly educate women on the male circumcision and its protection.

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