Willingness of Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in the United States to Be Circumcised as Adults to Reduce the Risk of HIV Infection

Details

• Alternative Title:
  PLoS ONE
• Personal Author:
  Begley, Elin B. ; Jafa, Krishna ; Voetsch, Andrew C. ; Heffelfinger, James D. ; Borkowf, Craig B. ; Sullivan, Patrick S.
• Description:
  Background
  
  Circumcision reduces HIV acquisition among heterosexual men in Africa, but it is unclear if circumcision may reduce HIV acquisition among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States, or whether MSM would be willing to be circumcised if recommended.
  
  Methods
  
  We interviewed presumed-HIV negative MSM at gay pride events in 2006. We asked uncircumcised respondents about willingness to be circumcised if it were proven to reduce risk of HIV among MSM and perceived barriers to circumcision. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify covariates associated with willingness to be circumcised.
  
  Results
  
  Of 780 MSM, 133 (17%) were uncircumcised. Of these, 71 (53%) were willing to be circumcised. Willingness was associated with black race (exact odds ratio [OR]: 3.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3–9.8), non-injection drug use (OR: 6.1, 95% CI: 1.8–23.7) and perceived reduced risk of penile cancer (OR: 4.7, 95% CI: 2.0–11.9). The most commonly endorsed concerns about circumcision were post-surgical pain and wound infection.
  
  Conclusions
  
  Over half of uncircumcised MSM, especially black MSM, expressed willingness to be circumcised. Perceived risks and benefits of circumcision should be a part of educational materials if circumcision is recommended for MSM in the United States.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Adolescent Adult Aged Attitude To Health Circumcision, Male HIV Infections Homosexuality Humans Male Middle Aged Odds Ratio Questionnaires Regression Analysis Risk-Taking Sexual Behavior

  More +
• Source:
  PLoS ONE. 2008; 3(7).
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Volume:
  3
• Issue:
  7
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:eb504ab2c92a789bd1d60db8fc6b41181d4389b019987e1250ed6387c51e7d30
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/4256/cdc_4256_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 110.88 KB ]