Impact of Modern Male Circumcision on STI/HIV in Samia Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed at investigating the impact of Modern Male Circumcision (MMC) on STI/HIV in Samia Sub-County, Kenya. As at 2015-2019 the uptake of male circumcision in Samia Sub County was 52% which was below 80% recommended by WHO. Methodology: The study design was a cross sectional descriptive study. Sample size was 385 respondents. Stratified sampling was used to select households while purposive sampling procedure was used to select men. Questionnaire was used to collect data. Data gathered was edited, analysed using SPSS version 25.0 at p value of 0.05 considered statistically significant. Ethical consideration was observed during the entire process of the study. Results: Majority of the respondents 72 (20%) were in the age bracket of (18-26) years. 45% had attained primary level education. Further, 60% of respondents reported that Male circumcision reduced STI/HIV transmission by 60% at 0.001. However, they were hindered to seek male circumcision services due to long distance to the health facility at (45%). 50% believed that women health professionals were not allowed to touch men’s penis. Conclusion: Provision of MMC services is a concern, it reduced STI/HIV transmission by 60% among men in Samia Sub County community. However, as regards distance to some healthy facility to access MMC services still it was an obstacle to men. Moreover, Female health providers still posed hindrance to up take of MMC services because from the study, it was noted from Samia Sub-County that it is a taboo for women to touch men’s penis. Recommendation: Despite some impediment of distance and culture towards MMC, the MOH need to strengthen the uptake of male circumcision in order to reduce the magnitude of STI/HIV in Samia Sub-County.