Determinants of Demand for Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision by Male Adults in Ugunja Sub County

Abstract

Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) is the removal of the foreskin of the penis either surgically or by use of a device to males who have voluntarily consented. VMMC has been shown to be an effective strategy in the prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) by around 60% according to World Health Organization. Kenya has made progress in VMMC scale up effectively nearing the achievement of the set target. The study investigated the determinants of demand for VMMC among the male adults in Ugunja Sub-Count. A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out among the males aged 25 to 49 years. A multi-stage sampling method was used for selection of study participants. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed for collection of data and analyzed using STATA by both descriptive and analytical methodology. Research authorization and consent of the respondents was sought before the study. A sample size of 350 was targeted, only 349 (99.7%) were available while the remaining 0.3% respondents declined to be interviewed. Majority of the respondents were age bracket of 25-36 years (75.36%). In terms of religion, Christians were the majority (85.96%) while Muslims followed at 8.02%. Most of the participants at 46.42% had attained secondary education. 79.62% of the respondents agreed that VMMC information was readily available while 20.38% disagreed. 31.82% of the respondents had demanded for VMMC services while 68.19% of them had not. Equally 56.45% of the respondents believed that VMMC had medical benefits while 43.55% of them did not. Lastly, 71.92% of the respondents believed that VMMC had adverse effects on the circumcised person. The findings pointed out that male adults not married are more likely to demand for VMMC as opposed to those married. Conclusively, it is evident that accessibility to VMMC information is likely to increase the demand of VMMC. Demand for VMMC will increase if the income range is stable, this would translate to indirect affordability meaning male adults are able to meet the costs associated with it. The study revealed that male adults who are in informal employment and other means of getting income, are more placed to demand for VMMC services probably due to the flexibility of their schedules. Most men agree that circumcision offers partial protection against HIV which in turn influences positively their demand for the VMMC. All stakeholders should introduce economic incentives compensations to woo men for the services.