ABSTRACT Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin, the fold of skin that covers the head of the penis. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2007), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS, 2007), and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2008) state that evidence indicates male circumcision significantly reduces the risk of HIV acquisition by men during penilevaginal sex, but also state that circumcision only provides minimal protection and should not replace other interventions to prevent transmission of HIV. A cross section and descriptive study was conducted in Ishaka – Bushenyi Municipality with an objective of community perception on Male circumcision as a means of reduction of HIV/AIDS.

Table of Contents

LIST OF TABLES.............................................................................................................................................. v

TABLE OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................................... vi

DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................................. vii

DEDICATION............................................................................................................................................... viii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.................................................................................................................................. ix

LIST OF ABREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ..................................................................................................... x

ABSTRACT..................................................................................................................................................... xi

CHAPTER ONE ...............................................................................................................................................1

Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................1

Background information ...........................................................................................................................1

Problem statement...................................................................................................................................3

Research Question ....................................................................................................................................4

Objectives of the study .............................................................................................................................4

General objective..................................................................................................................................4

Specific objectives.................................................................................................................................4

Significance of the study ...........................................................................................................................4

CHAPTER TWO-LITERATURE REVIEW............................................................................................................7

Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................7

History of male circumcision.....................................................................................................................8

Cultures and Religions...............................................................................................................................9

Prevalence of circumcision .....................................................................................................................10

Sexual effects of circumcision.................................................................................................................11

Benefits from circumcision .....................................................................................................................11

Complications of circumcision ................................................................................................................13

CHAPTER THREE ..........................................................................................................................................14

Methodology...........................................................................................................................................14

Study design........................................................................................................................................14

Setting of the study .............................................................................................................................14

Study population.................................................................................................................................14

Instruments of data collection............................................................................................................14

Selection criteria .....................................................................................................................................14

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Inclusion criteria..................................................................................................................................14

Exclusion criteria .................................................................................................................................15

Sampling..................................................................................................................................................15

Sample size estimation ...........................................................................................................................15

Method of data collection ......................................................................................................................15

Data collection instruments....................................................................................................................15

Data analysis ...........................................................................................................................................16

Ethical considerations.............................................................................................................................16

Dissemination of findings........................................................................................................................16

Possible limitations.................................................................................................................................17

CHAPTER FOUR ...........................................................................................................................................18

INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................18

AGE OF RESPONDENTS ...........................................................................................................................18

SEX OF RESPONDENTS ............................................................................................................................19

MARRITAL STATUS OF RESPONDENTS....................................................................................................19

RELIGION OF RESPONDENTS...................................................................................................................20

WHAT CIRCUMCISION IS .........................................................................................................................21

KNOWLEDGE ON CIRCUMCISION............................................................................................................21

INDICATIONS FOR CIRCUMCISION..........................................................................................................23

IMPRESSION ABOUT CIRCUMCISED MEN...............................................................................................24

PRACTICE OF CIRCUMCISION..................................................................................................................25

INFORMATION ON CIRCUMCISION.........................................................................................................29

COMPLICATIONS OF CIRCUMCISION ......................................................................................................31

ATTITUDE TOWARDS CIRCUMCISION .....................................................................................................31

CHAPTER FIVE .............................................................................................................................................34

DISCUSION ..............................................................................................................................................34

DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS .....................................................................................................34

KNOWLEDGE ON CIRCUMCISION........................................................................................................34

PRACTICES WITH REGARD TO CIRCUMCISION....................................................................................35

ATTITUDE TOWARDS CIRCUMCISION .................................................................................................36

CONCLUSION...........................................................................................................................................37

RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................................................................................38

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WORK PLAN ................................................................................................................................................39

BUDGET.......................................................................................................................................................40

REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................41

APPENDICES ................................................................................................................................................43

APPENDIX A.............................................................................................................................................43

APPENDIX B.............................................................................................................................................48

APPENDIX C.............................................................................................................................................49