title: Male circumcision in the general population of Kisumu, Kenya: beliefs about protection, risk behaviors, HIV, and STIs.
abstract: Using a population-based survey we examined the behaviors, beliefs, and HIV/HSV-2 serostatus of men and women in the traditionally non-circumcising community of Kisumu, Kenya prior to establishment of voluntary medical male circumcision services. A total of 749 men and 906 women participated. Circumcision status was not associated with HIV/HSV-2 infection nor increased high risk sexual behaviors. In males, preference for being or becoming circumcised was associated with inconsistent condom use and increased lifetime number of sexual partners. Preference for circumcision was increased with understanding that circumcised men are less likely to become infected with HIV.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America. westrcmp@uic.edu
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Westercamp
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Bukusi
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Montandon
authors.forename: Zachary
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kwena
authors.forename: Craig R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002944:Circumcision, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D017280:Condoms; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology