An Assessment of the Role of Interpersonal Communication on Vmmc Uptake in Siaya Sub–county

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the role of interpersonal communication on Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision uptake among men in Siaya Sub County, Siaya County. The objectives of the study were to find out the knowledge levels, perceptions and attitudes of men towards male circumcision; to assess how interpersonal communication contributes to decision-making regarding voluntary medical male circumcision uptake as well as to investigate forms of interpersonal communication that were regularly used in promoting male circumcision. The study was supported by three theories: health belief model, social cognitive theory, and theory of planned behaviour. The study used descriptive research design with qualitative and quantitative data collection approaches. The target group was composed of men of ages 18-49 who reside in Siaya Sub County. The total number of these men was estimated to be 22,610, however, the sample size was 378 people. Stratified random sampling was used to collect the data where questionnaires and interview schedules were administered to the respondents by the researcher. Data was analysed through descriptive statistics and presented in tables. Research findings showed that interpersonal communication as a strategy can be used towards influencing a community to take up Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision. The findings reiterated that the use of interpersonal communication in this community has increased the knowledge about male circumcision, its health benefits and the risks accompanied by failure to get circumcised. The study also revealed that interpersonal communication had helped to change the negative attitude of the respondents towards the procedure. The study further established that through interpersonal communication the targeted men from Siaya Sub County had availed themselves for Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision to lower the risk of HIV infection. In conclusion, through interpersonal communication, a majority of the people that has been reached has been able to get more information concerning Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision and has managed to visit the hospitals for the procedure. The study recommends that interpersonal communication should be used to reach more people as it gives more insight on Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision. The study further recommends that this strategy should be used to target women to encourage their male partners to undergo the male circumcision. The study also recommends that funding should be done for capacity building of community health workers to assist in the uptake of male circumcision.