Male Circumcision; Willingness to undergo Safe Male Circumcision and HIV Risk Behaviors among Men in Botswana

Abstract

This paper uses data from the 2008 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey to explore the association between male circumcision or willingness to undergo safe male circumcision, and men’s sexual and HIV risk behaviours in Botswana. Bivariate and multivariate regression analysis techniques are used. The results show that being circumcised, or expressing willingness to be circumcised, was associated with significant increase in the likelihood of having two or more current sexual partners, and having had sex with multiple partners during the year leading to the survey, even after controlling for confounding variables. There is a need for further research to examine the association between male circumcision and men’s sexual practices in Botswana. Such context specific research will provide the necessary evidence base for HIV prevention and impact mitigation programs, interventions and strategies and to provide rigorous estimates of the extent men’s sexual risk compensation and ‘sexual disinhibition’  associated with the reduced risk of HIV infection accorded by safe male circumcision. Current efforts to promote male circumcision as an integral part of the country’s HIV prevention and control strategy need to be accompanied by continuous education to address myths and misconceptions relating to safe male circumcision.