Beliefs among Swazi men on male circumcision and hivmitigation

About 20% of men globally and 35% in developing countries are circumcised for religious, cultural, medical and a variety of other reasons. Research has revealed that male circumcision reduces the risk of contracting HIV by 60%. Swaziland has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates globally. The purpose of this study was to determine Swazi men’s beliefs on male circumcision in relation to HIV. The study utilized an exploratory descriptive design. It was conducted in Matsapha at the Litsemba Letfu Men’s Clinic, Swaziland. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 10participants. Descriptive statistics and themes were used to describe and summarize data. Of the participants, 70%believed that male circumcision could reduce the riskof penile cancer, 60% thought that it could reduce the possibility of cervical cancer, and 90% believed that it could reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. Seventy- five percent (75%) of the participants above 40 years of age believed that male circumcision reduced the transmission of STI’s including HIV. Importantly, 20% of the participants believed that male circumcision eliminated HIV transmission; thus, there was no need of condom use after being circumcised. Two (2) themes emerged from the data: (1) less attention on male sexual and reproductive health issues and traditional practices by health workers; and (2) that information about circumcision shared with sexually active men must be more precise, clearer, and in sync with   Swazi cultural beliefs and practices. Further research is essential to determine the sexual behaviours of circumcised men for the control of HIV in Swaziland, a nation where polygamy is still practiced.