Impact of male circumcision on HIV risk compensation through the impediment of condom use in Botswana

N Ayiga, G Letamo

Abstract

Background: Male circumcision has been recommended as a method of reducing the risk of transmitting HIV. However, widespread uptake of male circumcision may lead to HIV risk compensation by impeding condom use.

Objective: To investigate the impact of male circumcision on condom use.

Methods: The study used cross-sectional data from the Botswana AIDS Impact Survey III on 1,257 men aged 15 years or older who were sexually active. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s chi-square statistic and binary logistic regression.

Results: The study found that 15% of circumcised men did not use condoms compared to 12% of uncircumcised men, and circumcision was not significantly associated with condom use. Non-use of condoms was significantly affected by religious beliefs, low level of education, marriage, drunkenness, and misconceptions regarding antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Conclusions: We conclude that male circumcision does not impede condom use. Condom use is impeded by low level of education, marriage, drunkenness, and misconceptions regarding ART. We recommend the emphasis of consistent condom use targeting people with low education, those in marriage, users of alcohol, and people receiving ART.