Alex H Semwali
Background: Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) is among the important and popular interventions for the prevention of new HIV infections. The overall coverage of male circumcision is still low to some of the regions especially Katavi region The situation is worse among adults this is known due to high numberof young boysattending VMMC clinicsThis study assessed prevalence and factors affecting VMMC uptake among 20 years and older in Mpanda Municipal Council.
Methods: Cross-sectional community based study was undertaken in Mpanda Municipal council in Katavi Region , from August 2017 toSeptember 2018.Multistage sampling was used to obtainvillages then households with study participants. A total of 570 men were interviewed. Quantitative data were analyzed using logistic regression.
Results: Overall uptake of VMMC among men aged 20 years and older islow only (53.5%). Majority of respondents were knowledgeable on VMMC with 92.2% (525).However, more than half of the respondents393 (69%) know health benefits of VMMC andreported that HIV could be prevented through medical Male Circumcision. 508(88%) of the respondents reported that the service was accepted by the community.
Regarding on the Factorsreportedto affect VMMCincludes servicesdiscourages men to take the services (P-value= 0.001), Services conducted in few days per week (special days) (P-value<0.001) and cultural beliefs of not taking circumcision(P-value= 0.033.), services encourages other to go for the service (P- value <0.001). Regarding onhealth personnel negative behavior of not observing confidentiality(P-value 0.0250).
Conclusion: In general, the Uptake of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision was found to be high as compared to the TACAIDS report of 2013. Few days of the service, Health workers behavior was among the factors showed significant association in VMMC service provision. Therefore, there is a need of addressingand strengthening VMMC in all health facilities and equip health facilities with adequate and competent health workers.
