Psychosocial Behaviours of Male Learners After Traditional Male Circumcision in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

This study aims to examine the psychosocial behaviours of male learners after undergoing traditional male circumcision (TMC) in the urban townships of Mdantsane, in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 recently circumcised leaners, as well as 17 school teachers and four parents of sons who had the procedure. Data were then coded and thematically analysed by means of six coding phases to identify two themes. The first theme pertains to the relationships between parents, teachers, and learners both pre- and post-TMC; the second theme is that of psychosocial behaviour and school performance of participating male learners. The data revealed that recently traditionally circumcised boys become excessively sexually active with some participants having multiple sexual partners. Moreover, these particular initiates tended to indulge in more alcohol abuse and smoking. The findings show that the psychosocial behaviour of male learners changes after undergoing TMC.