Evidence-Based Identification of Key Beliefs Explaining Infant Male Circumcision Motivation Among Expectant Parents in Zimbabwe: Targets for Behavior Change Messaging.

Slow adult male circumcision uptake is one factor leading some to recommend increased priority for infant male circumcision (IMC) in sub-Saharan African countries. This research, guided by the integrated behavioral model (IBM), was carried out to identify key beliefs that best explain Zimbabwean parents' motivation to have their infant sons circumcised. A quantitative survey, designed from qualitative elicitation study results, was administered to independent representative samples of 800 expectant mothers and 795 expectant fathers in two urban and two rural areas in Zimbabwe. Multiple regression analyses found IMC motivation among fathers was explained by instrumental attitude, descriptive norm and self-efficacy; while motivation among mothers was explained by instrumental attitude, injunctive norm, descriptive norm, self-efficacy, and perceived control. Regression analyses of beliefs underlying IBM constructs found some overlap but many differences in key beliefs explaining IMC motivation among mothers and fathers. We found differences in key beliefs among urban and rural parents. Urban fathers' IMC motivation was explained best by behavioral beliefs, while rural fathers' motivation was explained by both behavioral and efficacy beliefs. Urban mothers' IMC motivation was explained primarily by behavioral and normative beliefs, while rural mothers' motivation was explained mostly by behavioral beliefs. The key beliefs we identified should serve as targets for developing messages to improve demand and maximize parent uptake as IMC programs are rolled out. These targets need to be different among urban and rural expectant mothers and fathers.

Randomised trial of early infant circumcision performed by clinical officers and registered nurse midwives using the Mogen clamp in Rakai, Uganda.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and acceptability of early infant circumcision (EIC) provided by trained clinical officers (COs) and registered nurse midwives (RNMWs) in rural Uganda. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We conducted a randomised trial of EIC using the Mogen clamp provided by newly trained COs and RNMWs in four health centres in rural Rakai, Uganda. The trial was registered with clinicaltrials.gov # NCT02596282. In all, 501 healthy neonates aged 1-28 days with normal birth weight and gestational age were randomised to COs (n = 256) and RNMWs (n = 245) for EIC, and were followed-up at 1, 7 and 28 days. RESULTS: In all, 701 mothers were directly invited to participate in the trial, 525 consented to circumcision (74.9%) and 23 were found ineligible on screening (4.4%). The procedure took an average of 10.5 min. Adherence to follow-up was >90% at all scheduled visits. The rates of moderate/severe adverse events were 2.4% for COs and 1.6% for RNMWs (P = 0.9). All wounds were healed by 28 days after circumcision. Maternal satisfaction with the procedure was 99.6% for infants circumcised by COs and 100% among infants circumcised by RNMWs. CONCLUSIONS: EIC was acceptable in this rural Ugandan population and can be safely performed by RNMWs who have direct contact with the mothers during pregnancy and delivery. EIC services should be made available to parents who are interested in the service.

Efficacy of knowledge and competence-based training of non-physicians in the provision of early infant male circumcision using the Mogen clamp in Rakai, Uganda.

OBJECTIVE: To assess acquisition of knowledge and competence in performing Early Infant Male Circumcision (EIMC) by non-physicians trained using a structured curriculum. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Training in provision of EIMC using the Mogen clamp was conducted for 10 Clinical Officers (COs) and 10 Registered Nurse Midwives (RNMWs), in Rakai, Uganda. Healthy infants whose mothers consented to study participation were assigned to the trainees, each of whom performed at least 10 EIMCs. Ongoing assessment and feedback for competency were done, and safety assessed by adverse events. RESULTS: Despite similar baseline knowledge, COs acquired more didactic knowledge than RNMWs (P = 0.043). In all, 100 EIMCs were assessed for gain in competency. The greatest improvement in competency was between the first and third procedures, and all trainees achieved 80% competency and retention of skills by the seventh procedure. The median (interquartile range) time to complete a procedure was 14.5 (10-47) min for the COs, and 15 (10-50) min for the RNMWs (P = 0.180). The procedure times declined by 2.2 min for each subsequent EIMC (P = 0.005), and rates of improvement were similar for COs and RNMWs. Adverse events were comparable between providers (3.5%), of which 1% were of moderate severity. CONCLUSION: Competence-based training of non-physicians improved knowledge and competency in EIMC performed by COs and RNMWs in Uganda.

Serious complications in male infant circumcisions in Scandinavia indicate that this always be performed as a hospital-based procedure.

AIM: More than 7000 male circumcisions are performed in Scandinavia every year. Circumcision is regulated in different ways in Sweden and Denmark and Norway. This study reviewed and described factors associated with complications of circumcision in infant boys in Scandinavia over the last two decades and discussed how these complications could be avoided. METHODS: Data on significant complications following circumcision on boys under the age of one in Scandinavia over the last 20 years were collected. Information was retrieved from testimonies of circumcisers, witnesses, medical records and verdicts. A systematic review was performed of fatal cases in the literature. RESULTS: We found that 32 cases had been reported to the health authorities in the three countries, and we identified a total of 74 complications in these cases. These included four boys with severe bleeding and circulatory shock, which ended in the death of one boy. Other less serious complications may have occurred in other boys, but not been reported. CONCLUSION: Complications following male circumcision in Scandinavia were relatively rare, but serious complications did occur. Based on the analyses of the severe cases, we argue that circumcision should only be performed at hospitals with 24-hour emergency departments.

Timing for maximum anaesthetic effect of topical cream during early infant circumcision (EIC) in Rakai, Uganda.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the optimal timing for device-based infant circumcision under topical anaesthesia. Subjects/patients: We include infants aged 1-60 days who were enrolled in a field study of the no-flip ShangRing device at four hospitals in the Rakai region of south-central Uganda, between 5 February 2020 and 27 October 2020. Methods: Two hundred infants, aged 0-60 days, were enrolled, and EMLA cream was applied on the foreskin and entire penile shaft. The anaesthetic effect was assessed every 5 min by gentle application of artery forceps at the tip of the foreskin, starting at 10 min post-application until 60 min, the recommended time to start circumcision. The response was measured using the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS). We determined the onset and duration of anaesthesia (defined as <20% of infants with NIPS score >4) and maximum anaesthesia (defined as <20% of infants with NIPS score >2). Results: Overall, NIPS scores decreased to a minimum and reversed before the recommended 60 min. Baseline response varied with age, with minimal response among infants aged 40 days. Overall, anaesthesia was achieved after at least 25 min and lasted 20-30 min. Maximum anaesthesia was achieved after at least 30 min (except among those aged >45 days where it was not achieved) and lasted up to 10 min. Conclusion: The optimal timing for maximum topical anaesthesia occurred before the recommended 60 min of waiting time. A shorter waiting time and speed may be efficient for mass device-based circumcision.

Pain control in neonatal male circumcision: A best evidence review.

OBJECTIVE: Routine male infant circumcision (RMIC) is a common procedure that inadvertently causes significant but preventable pain. In this best evidence review, we examine the available pain management options and their effectiveness for RMIC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Medline (OVID) and Cochrane library were searched for randomized controlled trials investigating pain control for RMIC. Only trials that included newborns younger than 45 days of age were included. The articles generated in the initial search were screened independently by two of the authors. A third reviewer settled any discrepancies about the inclusion. Then, trials were categorized based on the type of intervention: topical anesthetics, oral sucrose, oral acetaminophen, nerve blocks, caudal blocks, circumcision device, non-pharmacological adjuncts, and multiple combinations. RESULTS: Twenty-nine randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were found to address pain preventative measures in RMIC. As single agent, nerve blocks outperformed topical anesthetics and oral sucrose, as the latter two proved to be insufficient for proper pain control. Additionally, dorsal penile nerve block and ring blocks have a reasonable safety profile. The use of caudal blocks in RMIC was uncommon. Oral sucrose in association with swaddling or music are helpful and can be easily combined with other methods of pain management. Moreover, oral acetaminophen given perioperatively helps the patient recover. Ultimately, pain control should rely on a combination of anesthetics, analgesics, and kinesthetic methods to be administered before, during, and after the procedure for optimal outcome. CONCLUSION: RMIC is a painful procedure in need of proper pain control. Different interventions and agents have various abilities in controlling pain; however, developing a protocol centered around multimodal pain control proves to be the most effective.