title: Acceptability of male circumcision among adolescent boys and their parents, Botswana.
abstract: Little is known of the acceptability of male circumcision (MC) to adolescent boys, a key target group for HIV prevention. We conducted a cluster design survey among adolescent boys and their parents/guardians in two villages in Botswana. Of 1300 households visited, 398 boys were eligible; 269 boys and 210 parents/guardians participated. MC was described correctly by 80% of boys, and 76% identified that MC reduces the risk of male HIV acquisition. After a brief informational session, 75% of boys stated that they would definitely want to be circumcised and 96% of parents/guardians would want their boy circumcised. Boys most frequently reported pain (49%) and possible health problems (19%) as concerns undergoing MC; concerns about peer or partner acceptance, sexual function, or cultural appropriateness were uncommon. Adolescent MC is likely to be highly acceptable in Botswana if done safely, for free and with adequate pain control in a hospital setting.
authors: Botswana-Harvard School of Public Health AIDS Initiative Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana.
authors: Oluwemimo
authors: O
authors: Jayeoba
authors: Scott
authors: S
authors: Dryden-Peterson
authors: Lillian
authors: L
authors: Okui
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Smeaton
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Magetse
authors: Lillian
authors: L
authors: Makori
authors: Venice
authors: V
authors: Modikwa
authors: Mpho
authors: M
authors: Mogodi
authors: Rebeca
authors: R
authors: Plank
authors: Shahin
authors: S
authors: Lockman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001902:Botswana / Q000453:epidemiology; D002944:Circumcision, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010290:Parents; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health