Male circumcision trends at a Referral Hospital in Western Kenya

Abstract

Background: Circumcision involves excising sufficient foreskin of the penile shaft and inner epithelium leaving the glans uncovered. It is an old and common surgical procedure. Though simple, it is however associated with high complications. Objective: To establish trends in the practice of male circumcision at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret, Kenya Design: A ten-year retrospective study Setting: The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Subjects: Three hundred and sixty-seven patient’s clinical records during the study period Results: A total of 367 records were reviewed with a mean age of circumcision at 12.7±8.6 years. The minimum age was one year and a maximum 78 years. Majority (38%) were circumcised during the months of December. About 58% of the respondents were circumcised at the outpatient department minor theatre and 42% in main theaters. Circumcisers were mainly nurses (53%), followed by surgeon (40%), Clinical Officers (5%), and lastly surgical registrars (2%). Phimosis was the most common medical indication for circumcision (69.4%). Majority 208 (57%) were circumcised as a cultural requirement compared to 156 (43%) who sought male surgical circumcision in hospital for non-cultural reasons. Conclusion: Though male circumcision at MTRH still takes a cultural trend, voluntary circumcision is increasingly being embraced.