Knowledge and Attitude towards Circumcision and Its Role in HIV Prevention among Health Professionals and Patients from a Tertiary Care Hospital of Delhi: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Male circumcision has been advocated as a simple method for minimizing HIV spread. As there are many social and other related issues involved in its acceptance it was thought to assess knowledge and attitude of doctors, nursing staff and patients regarding male circumcision (MC) and its relation to HIV prevention. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 200 health professionals and 100 patients of a tertiary health care teaching institute of Delhi. Data was collected from three representative groups consisting of fifty doctors, fifty nursing staff and fifty patients of both genders using a structured questionnaire by directly interviewing individuals. Male circumcision was correctly described by most doctors, nursing staff and male Muslim patients. However, only 72% of Muslim female patients and 44% of Hindu male and 12% of Hindu female patients could define it correctly. A small pamphlet was distributed to all and their change in attitude towards circumcision was observed thereafter. Positive attitude for undergoing male circumcision was observed after an information session using pamphlet that led to increase in acceptability in people of all categories. The difference between pre- and post-intervention was statistically significant in male doctors and male nursing staff. However, positive response amongst women was lesser than in men. Most participants felt that circumcision should be performed before the six years of age. The study concluded that male circumcision has the potential to become an important component of long-term HIV prevention program. Acceptability issues in India, especially in Hindus, need to be overcome with appropriate educational programs involving communities.

Keywords: Male circumcision, knowledge, attitude, North India