Male Circumcision and Multiple Sexual partners in South Africa

Abstract

Introduction: The high prevalence of Multiple Sexual Partners (MSP) and increasing rates of HIV infection in South Africa highlight the urgent need to delve into the factors influencing risky sexual behaviour. Despite efforts to promote safe sex practices, MSP remains a significant driver of the HIV epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in South Africa. This study focuses to investigate the association between MC and MSP among males aged 15 years and above in South Africa, elucidating a potential relationship between MC, risky sexual behavior (RSB), and HIV prevalence. Method: This quantitative study employed a cross-sectional design using data from the 2017 South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey. (SABSSM), with a weighted sample of 27,620,422 men in the male recode. Data analysis involved three phases: frequency and percentage distributions, Pearson’s chi-square test, and binary logistic regression. Results: The study revealed that 94.04 % of circumcised South African men reported having MSP, with higher rates in Mpumalanga (97.29%) and among white males (97.33%). MSP was associated with demographic factors like type of residence, educational background, race, paying for sex, and geographical location. Men not using condoms were also more likely to engage in MSP. However, the study did not find any significant association between male circumcision and multiple sexual partners. The study found that males who were circumcised were less likely to have multiple sexual partners compared to uncircumcised males. Specifically, the odds ratio for MSP was (AOR 0.82; p<;0.05; CI: 0.81–0.82) among circumcised males. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of considering sociodemographic and behavioural factors in designing effective prevention programs targeting risky sexual behaviour in South Africa. Understanding the underlying factors driving men's engagement in multiple sexual partnerships is crucial for developing targeted interventions to address this behaviour. This study provides evidence that male circumcision does not adversely affect sexual function or lead to increased risky sexual behaviours, such as having multiple sexual partners. These findings have important implications for public health policies and individual decision-making regarding circumcision. Further research is needed to confirm these results and explore other potential factors that may influence sexual outcomes. Additionally, it is crucial to consider the individual's overall sexual health and behaviour to ensure that the benefits of circumcision are not outweighed by risky sexual practices. This is an important consideration in the context of HIV prevention and sexual health, as some studies have suggested that circumcision may lead to increased risky sexual behaviours. However, our findings suggest that circumcision alone does not necessarily influence the number of sexual partners a man has.