Prevalence and Factors Associated with Infant Medical Male Circumcision in The Southern Highlands of Tanzania: A Case of Mufindi District
Abstract
Introduction: Although there is increasing evidence in favor of
male circumcision for the reduction of HIV transmission
especially among heterosexual individuals, the practice is still low
specifically among the traditionally non-circumcising
communities of Mufindi District in Tanzania. In collaboration
with the World Health Organization (WHO), the government of
Tanzania is standing firm to enhance early male circumcision at
infancy in the health facility-settings.
Objective: To determine the proportion of male infants having medical circumcision and associated
factors.
Methods: This was a cross section study. We sampled 664 mother-baby pairs attending Reproductive
and Child Health (RCH) clinics in three health facilities that provide Infant Medical Male
Circumcision (IMMC) services in Mufindi District. We used descriptive and multivariable analysis to
describe and assess the association between infant medical male circumcision and the associated
factors. In the multivariable analysis, we report adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and their
corresponding 95% confidence intervals.
Results: The proportion of male infants having medical circumcision in Mufindi district was 43.2 %.
Mothers with positive attitude towards IMMC were 359 (54.2%). Independent factors for IMMC were
the marital status of the mother, mother’s attitude preferred age at circumcision. The main cited
reasons for delaying or completely refraining from IMMC include the child being too young for
circumcision, fear of side effects and a mother unaware of the availability of the service.
Conclusion: Uptake of IMMC has increased substantially from the previous regional estimate of
below 20% in 2013 in Njombe region. We recommend an in-depth qualitative research to find sources
of negative attitudes among parents, specifically mothers. Mothers’ lack of awareness for availability
of IMMC services points towards a need of promoting IMMC in the community even through
involving community and religious leaders.
