Factors Associated with Preference for Early Infant Male Circumcision Among a Representative Sample of Parents in Homa Bay County, Western Kenya.

Several countries scaling-up adult medical male circumcision (MMC) for HIV prevention intend to introduce early infant male circumcision (EIMC). To assess preference for EIMC in a community with a mature adult MMC program, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of mothers (n = 613) and fathers (n = 430) of baby boys ("index son") at 16 health facilities in western Kenya. Most (59 %) were for EIMC, generally. Just 29 % were for circumcising the index son. Pain and protection from HIV were the most frequently cited barrier and facilitator to EIMC, respectively. In multivariable logistic regression, ever talking with the partner about EIMC and positive serostatus were associated with preference for EIMC for the index son. Attitudes towards EIMC are favorable. Willingness to circumcise an infant son is modest. To facilitate EIMC uptake, education about EIMC pain management and encouraging discussion between parents about EIMC during pregnancy should be integrated into programs.

Prospective comparison of two models of integrating early infant male circumcision with maternal child health services in Kenya: The Mtoto Msafi Mbili Study.

As countries scale up adult voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) for HIV prevention, they are looking ahead to long term sustainable strategies, including introduction of early infant male circumcision (EIMC). To address the lack of evidence regarding introduction of EIMC services in sub-Saharan African settings, we conducted a simultaneous, prospective comparison of two models of EIMC service delivery in Homa Bay County, Kenya. In one division a standard delivery package (SDP) was introduced and included health facility-based provision of EIMC services with community engagement for client referral versus in a different division a standard package plus (SDPplus) that included community-delivered EIMC services. Babies 1-60 days old were eligible for EIMC. A representative sample of mothers and fathers of baby boys at 16 health facilities was surveyed. We examined differences between mothers and fathers in the SDP and SDPplus divisions and identified factors associated with EIMC uptake. We report adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR). Of 1660 mothers interviewed, 1501 (89%) gave approval to contact the father, and 1259 fathers (84%) were interviewed. The proportion of babies circumcised was slightly greater in the SDPplus division than the SDP division (27.3% vs 23.7%), but the difference was not significant (p = 0.08). In adjusted analyses, however, the prevalence of babies being circumcised was greater in the SDPplus division (aPR = 1.23, 95% CI:1.04-1.45) and the factors associated with a baby being circumcised were the mother having received information about EIMC (during pregnancy, aPR = 4.81, 95% CI: 2.21-3.42), having discussed circumcision with the father if married or cohabiting (aPR = 5.39, 95% CI: 3.31-8.80) or being single (aPR = 5.67, 95% CI: 3.31-9.69), perceiving herself to be living with HIV (aPR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.15-1.67), or having a post-secondary education (aPR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.04-1.69), and the father being Muslim (aPR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.29-2.65) or circumcised (aPR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.13-1.59). The median age of 2117 babies circumcised was 8 days (IQR: 1-36), and the median weight was 3.6 kg (IQR: 3.2-4.4). There were 6 moderate adverse events (AEs) (0.28%); 5 severe AEs (0.24%), all involving an injury to the glans penis, requiring hospitalization and corrective surgery; and one death probably related to the procedure. There were no AEs among the 365 procedures performed outside health facilities. Information and education campaigns must reach members of the general population, especially men and fathers, who are influential to the EIMC decision. Serious AEs using the Mogen clamp are rare, but do occur and require efficient, reliable emergency back-up. Our results can assist countries considering scale-up of EIMC services for HIV prevention as their adult VMMC programs mature.