Focus Groups to Study the Acceptability of Male Circumcision as a Measure to Prevent HIV Infection Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Thailand

Authors

  • ธรีรัตน์ เชมนะสิริ Thailand MOPH-U.S. CDC Collaboration, Nonthaburi
  • รัตน์ เชื้อชูวงศ์ Silom Community Clinic, Bangkok
  • ศุภพร ไชยคำเมา Silom Community Clinic, Bangkok
  • พัฒน์นรี อึ้งประเสริฐกุล Thailand MOPH-U.S. CDC Collaboration, Nonthaburi
  • อัญชลี วรางค์รัตน์ Thailand MOPH-U.S. CDC Collaboration, Nonthaburi
  • ฟริทส วัน กรีนสแวน Thailand MOPH-U.S. CDC Collaboration Nonthaburi and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA

Keywords:

Male circumcision, men who have sex with men, HIV, focus group discussion, Thailand

Abstract

This study investigated the acceptability of male circumcision (MC) as a measure to prevent HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Thailand. Six focus group discussions were conducted during November 2007 to February 2008. All 41 participants were recruited. Socio-demographic and sexual behavioral data were collected using a short-questionnaire. Atlas.ti version 4.2 was used in data analysis. It was found that there were 6 barriers to the acceptability of MC as a measure to prevent HIV infection among MSM in Thailand as follows: 1. Participants are concerned about efficacy of MC for HIV prevention, 2. Participants think that benefits of MC might not be worth going through post surgical pain, 3. Participants believe that MC can prevent HIV among MSM who perform insertive role ("top") only during anal sex intercourse, 4. Participants think of MC as a minor surgery for people with phimosis or paraphimosis, as a religious rite, or for personal hygiene, 5. Participants believe that they have other ways to protect themselves from HIV, and 6. Participants are not aware of different circumcision styles. We suggested that appropiate and accurate information of MC should be given to public. MC should be recommended to parents for newborns not only as a HIV preventive tool, but as a general hygienic matter. Condom use campaign should be promoted consistently.

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Published

2010-03-31

How to Cite

1.
เชมนะสิริ ธ, เชื้อชูวงศ์ ร, ไชยคำเมา ศ, อึ้งประเสริฐกุล พ, วรางค์รัตน์ อ, วัน กรีนสแวน ฟ. Focus Groups to Study the Acceptability of Male Circumcision as a Measure to Prevent HIV Infection Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Thailand. Dis Control J [Internet]. 2010 Mar. 31 [cited 2024 May 21];36(1):32-41. Available from: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/DCJ/article/view/155879

Issue

Vol. 36 No. 1 (2010): January - March

Section

Original Article

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Articles published in the Disease Control Journal are considered as academic work, research or analysis of the personal opinion of the authors, not the opinion of the Thailand Department of Disease Control or editorial team. The authors must be responsible for their articles.