Factors associated with uptake of male circumcision in traditionally non-circumcising Ugandan sub-regions of Acholi and Lango

Abstract

This study examined factors associated with low uptake of male circumcision in the non-traditional circumcising sub-regions of Uganda, that is Lango and Acholi where literature on the same is limited. In the sub-regions of Lango and Acholi, the prevalence of circumcision is 12% and 13% respectively, which is the lowest in the country. Data on 773 men aged 15 to 54 collected during the 2016 Uganda Demographic Health Survey (UDHS) was analyzed. Logistic regression was used to establish the association between male circumcision and demographic and social economic factors in Lango and Acholi regions of Uganda.

Older age, education, being in formal employment and listening to radio and watching television were found to be the significant predictors of male circumcision. Men without formal education had higher chances of being circumcised compared to those who completed primary education (OR=0.106, P=0.008). Men aged 26-35 (OR=0.543, P=0.038), 36-45 (OR=0.170, P=0.000) and 46+ (OR=0.289, P=0.021) had reduced odds of being circumcised relative to ones aged 15-25 years. Working in formal sector was associated with increased likelihood of being circumcised compared to working in the informal sector (OR=1.980, P=0.050). Lastly, men who listen to radio once a week (OR = 1.191, P = 0.038) and watched television at least once a week (OR=4.008, P=0.001) were more likely to be circumcised compared to men who do not listen to radio and watch television. Efforts to increase coverage of male circumcision in the two sub-regions of Uganda should focus on targeting: young age males, males in the informal sector and those who do not easily access information either through radio or television.