A Limited Study on the Perception and Change in Attitude about Circumcision among Health Care Professionals and Their Male Family Members

Abstract

Objectives: Millions of male children are circumcised throughout the world. We investigated the opinions and thoughts about the past and future aspects of circumcision by interviewing 100 male family members of the health care staff. Methods: 100 male volunteers answered a questionnaire comprising questions about their personal observations, feelings, festivities and opinions about their own circumcisions as well as their views about the circumcision phenomenon as a parent, and the legality of circumcision. Results: 81% of the volunteers in our study had been circumcised by traditional circumcisers. The rest had been circumcised by doctors (10%), barbers (7%) and sheikhs (2%). In 90% the circumcision took place at home, 7% in hospitals and in 3% in village squares. While 66% of the subjects do not remember anything, the remaining 33% reported some bad sensations like fear, pain and shame about their circumcisions, and 1 (1%) subject reported happiness. As a parent, they answered the questions on their preferences on the place and performer of the circumcision. 44% preferred to have circumcision performed in the hospital by a physician, 26% at home by a physician, and 30% at home by a circumciser. Conclusion: There are significant changes in the attitudes of people in Turkey on circumcision as a traditional culture, though its perception has remained unchanged.

Children’s Perspectives on the Medical and Cultural Aspects of Circumcision

“…In Corduk et al's study, 38% of boys stated that they were frightened during circumcision (23). In their study, Verit et al stated that of males between 25 and 45 years of age, 81% stated that they were circumcised by traditional circumcisers rather than surgeons and 90% were found to have been circumcised at home (22). Previously, circumcision was performed by traditional circumcisers.…”

“…In this ritual, the child, who most commonly wears a special bright costume with a pelerine and wand looks like a king. Also, his courage is rewarded by giving him various presents (3,22). It is important for the child to experience these moments and remember them in the future (23,24).…”

“…Nowadays, operations are carried out by surgeons and circumciser (25). Traditional circumcisers are still preferred by parents (3,22). In Corduk et al's study, it was found out that 42% of boys were operated on by a circumciser (23).…”

“…In our study, 38.4% of children had more than moderate fear. When Verit et al asked male health care professionals what children felt during their circumcision, 33% stated that they experienced fear (22).…”

A Magnificent Circumcision Carnival in the Early 18th Century Ottoman Period

“…Circumcision has always been regarded as both an important social event and a milestone of a young man's life in Turkish culture, especially in the Ottoman period [1] . Circumcision has been widely practiced in all Islamic countries as the tradition of the Prophet, although in the Koran, the Islamic holy book, it is not mentioned as a strict rule [2] .…”