Selebi-Phikwe records low rate of male circumcision

Ivy Matlho | Thursday January 7, 2016 14:48

Speaking during an interview with Mmegi Kenaape said that despite the town recording a higher number of people infected with HIV/AIDS and STIs men are still reluctant to circumcise.

He said that circumcision is important because it helps reduce the risks of contacting the virus and STIs. 

He also said that currently there are only 14 males who have circumcised, which is a low number.

Kenaape said that their target in every three months is to circumcise at least 261 males, which they have not reached.

He said that it is a concern that men are not willing to circumcise, but still indulging in risky sexual behaviours.

“We have a low number of men who circumcised.  Out of 14 people we recorded we have realised that the number of elderly men ranges from two to four.  Most of the circumcised males are students,” he said. 

He noted that this raises worry, especially that men who are sexually active show no interest in SMC. He also said that Selebi-Phikwe is one of the towns in the country that is dominated by men hence the need for them to take responsibility in issues concerning health, especially that the town is still recording high numbers of people infected with STIs.

Kenaape added that despite the information disseminated on SMC some men still choose to listen to myths associated with male circumcision resulting in many refusing to circumcise.

A lot of men asked why they do not circumcise stated that they have fears associated with circumcision, said Kenaape.

He said that the most common reason given by men is that circumcision reduces sexual desire and is also painful.

“Some fear that they will not be able to perform in bed like before after circumcising while others said that they fear circumcision (because it) is painful,” he said.

He added that since in Selebi-Phikwe a lot of couples are cohabiting it is important for such partners to give each other support.

“I urge partners to encourage each other and give each other support when it comes to circumcision,” he said.

He said that it is also upon women to encourage their partners to circumcise as failure to do so also affects their health negatively.

“Most men who are not circumcised also engage in unprotected sexual intercourse increasing their risks of getting STIs and HIV hence making it difficult to reduce the number of infected people in our town,” he said.

Kenaape stated that this year they are going to engage in many activities aimed at spreading information on SMC.

He said that they are going to organise tournaments where they will engage different companies so as to reach out to more men.

Meanwhile, Kenaape has also encouraged HIV/AIDS patients to continue with their medication.  He said that it is a concern that some patients are still defaulting from treatment. 

He said that in the last three months they have recorded nine people who have defaulted from the treatment. 

“We have cases of people who take ARVs from the hospital and throw them away.  A majority of people who are reluctant to take medication are men,” he said.

He said that it is up to the infected individuals to ensure that they adhere to their treatment.

“It is important for patients to take their medication properly because failure to do so results in resistance, which then makes it difficult for the virus to be controlled,” he said.

Kenaape disclosed that there are 9,499 people on ARV treatment, 6,334 are women while 3,460 are men.