The influence of socioeconomic factors on choice of infant male circumcision provider in rural Ghana; a community level population based study

Abstract

BackgroundThe influence of socio-economic determinants on choice of infant male circumcision provider is not known in areas with high population coverage such as rural Africa. The overall aim of this study was to determine the key socio-economic factors which influence the choice of infant male circumcision provider in rural Ghana.MethodsThe study investigated the effect of family income, distance to health facility, and cost of the circumcision on choice of infant male circumcision provider in rural Ghana. Data from 2847 circumcised infant males aged under 12 weeks and their families were analysed in a population-based cross-sectional study conducted from May to December 2012 in rural Ghana. Multivariable logistic regression models were adjusted for income status, distance to health facility, cost of circumcision, religion, maternal education, and maternal age.ResultsInfants from the lowest income households (325, 84.0%) were more likely to receive circumcision from an informal provider compared to infants from the highest income households (260, 42.4%) even after adjusting for religious affiliation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.42, 95% CI 3.12–6.27 p = <0.001). There appeared to be a dose response with increasing risk of receiving a circumcision from an informal provider as distance to a health facility increased (aOR 1.25, 95 CI 1.30–1.38 P = <0.001). Only 9.0% (34) of families in the lowest socio-economic quintile received free circumcision services compared to 27.9% (171) of the highest income families.ConclusionsThe Government of Ghana and Non-Government Organisations should consider additional support to poor families so they can access high quality free infant male circumcision in rural Ghana.

Prevalence and risk factors of Hepatitis C virus infection in the Upper East Region of Ghana; a community-based cross-sectional study

“…In Ghana the Upper East and Upper West regions have the highest rates of FGM and the practice is usually performed by traditional operators [ 42 ]. Furthermore, it has been reported that the practice of male circumcision is more likely to be carried out by informal operators among communities that are more rural and that have lower socio-economic status, such as in the northern part of Ghana [ 43 ]. For maternal transmission, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports a transmission risk of 6% [ 44 ], and further studies are needed in Ghana to determine the perinatal transmission rate in our setting.…”

Comparison of open vs Plastibell techniques of circumcision for surgical outcomes and cosmetic satisfaction;A randomized control trial

“…Circumcision is perhaps the most common surgery done 1,2,3 . Throughout the world, millions of male neonates and infants undergo circumcision for religious, cultural, social and medical reasons 4,5 . In Pakistan, it is usually observed that the majority of males undergo circumcision from newborn to adulthood, nevertheless it is most commonly practiced in the first year of life 6,7,8 .…”

Perioperative management of circumcision in children: Is there a difference between African and European hospitals?

“…In literature, there is no clear evidence that supports the influence of training and setting on the outcomes of circumcision,[ 2 ] but it is reported that the main determinant of complications is poor hygiene during the practices. [ 3 ] However, in developing countries, accessibility to healthcare is still difficult and it is related to socioeconomic factors;[ 4 ] moreover, even the health service may sometimes not be able to provide the standard of care.…”