title: Factors Associated with Knowledge of and Willingness for Adult Male Circumcision in Changsha, China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Male circumcision (MC) has been shown to reduce the risk of male genital diseases. MC is not commonly practiced among Chinese males and little is known about the factors associated with their knowledge of and willingness for MC. This study was to explore the knowledge regarding the foreskin among Chinese males and to identify factors associated with their willingness to undergo circumcision.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 237 patients with redundant prepuce/phimosis were interviewed through face-to-face interviews. The items on the questionnaire included: demographics, an objective scale assessing knowledge about the foreskin, willingness to have MC, the attitudes of sexual partners and doctors toward redundant prepuce/phimosis, and the approaches that patients used to acquire knowledge regarding the prepuce. Univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to identify factors that are associated with willingness to be circumcised (WTC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 212 patients completed the interview. Multivariable logistic regression showed that three factors were significantly associated with WTC: being married (OR = 0.43), perceiving redundant prepuce/phimosis as a disease (OR = 1.93), and if a patient's partner supported MC (OR = 1.39). 58% (n = 122) had received information about the foreskin from another party: 18% (n = 37) from school, 8% (n = 17) from family, 17% (n = 36) from friends, 27% (n = 57) from health care providers. About 4% (n = 8) believed that their partners disliked their redundant prepuce/phimosis. 20% (n = 42) had received doctors' advice to undergo circumcision.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge about the foreskin was low among Chinese males. Our study elucidates the factors associated with WTC and suggests that more education of the population about the foreskin can help improve the recognition of a correctible abnormality and help patients assess the potential role of MC in their health.
authors: Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
authors: Mingqiang
authors: M
authors: Zeng
authors: College of Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America.
authors: Ling
authors: L
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
authors: Caifang
authors: C
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
authors: Fanchang
authors: F
authors: Zeng
authors: Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
authors: Liang
authors: L
authors: Huang
authors: Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
authors: Ruizhi
authors: R
authors: Xue
authors: Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
authors: Junjie
authors: J
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
authors: Benmin
authors: B
authors: Gao
authors: Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
authors: Zhengyan
authors: Z
authors: Tang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D002944:Circumcision, Male / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D052816:Foreskin; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010688:Phimosis / Q000523:psychology; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors