Healthcare providers’ perceptions and understanding of voluntary medical male circumcision in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A qualitative study
Background: There is compelling evidence that voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) reduces the chances of heterosexual transmission of HIV infection. Healthcare workers are among the key influencers in terms of the scale-up of VMMC as they are often involved in mobilisation for uptake. There i...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2021-08-01
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| Series: | South African Family Practice |
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| Online Access: | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5318 |
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| author | Celenkosini T. Nxumalo Gugu G. Mchunu |
| author_facet | Celenkosini T. Nxumalo Gugu G. Mchunu |
| author_sort | Celenkosini T. Nxumalo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: There is compelling evidence that voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) reduces the chances of heterosexual transmission of HIV infection. Healthcare workers are among the key influencers in terms of the scale-up of VMMC as they are often involved in mobilisation for uptake. There is a paucity of qualitative research on healthcare workers’ experiences, understanding and perceptions of VMMC; particularly in the South African rural primary healthcare context. This study was conducted to examine healthcare workers perceptions and understanding of VMMC in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Methods: The study employed a qualitative approach using a phenomenographic design. A purposive sample of 15 doctors, nurses and clinical associates working in 6 different rural clinics in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, were interviewed in English in-depth using a semi-structured interview schedule. The interviews were audio-recorded, and transcribed. The results were analysed thematically using phenomenographic data analysis procedures.
Results: Categories of description in participants’ perceptions and understanding of VMMC emerged. The findings of this study revealed that healthcare workers perceptions and understanding of VMMC were predominantly influenced by the hegemonic religious and cultural norms associated with male circumcision in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that tailored training to address healthcare workers misperceptions and poor understanding of VMMC is necessary to ensure that they become effective custodians for VMMC implementation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2cdc5885c2054fe4b824fe70fea7d111 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2078-6190 2078-6204 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021-08-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Family Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-2cdc5885c2054fe4b824fe70fea7d1112025-08-20T03:06:52ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042021-08-01631e1e610.4102/safp.v63i1.53184154Healthcare providers’ perceptions and understanding of voluntary medical male circumcision in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A qualitative studyCelenkosini T. Nxumalo0Gugu G. Mchunu1KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, Ndwedwe Community Health Centre, Verulam, South Africa; and, School of Nursing and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanSchool of Nursing and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanBackground: There is compelling evidence that voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) reduces the chances of heterosexual transmission of HIV infection. Healthcare workers are among the key influencers in terms of the scale-up of VMMC as they are often involved in mobilisation for uptake. There is a paucity of qualitative research on healthcare workers’ experiences, understanding and perceptions of VMMC; particularly in the South African rural primary healthcare context. This study was conducted to examine healthcare workers perceptions and understanding of VMMC in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Methods: The study employed a qualitative approach using a phenomenographic design. A purposive sample of 15 doctors, nurses and clinical associates working in 6 different rural clinics in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, were interviewed in English in-depth using a semi-structured interview schedule. The interviews were audio-recorded, and transcribed. The results were analysed thematically using phenomenographic data analysis procedures. Results: Categories of description in participants’ perceptions and understanding of VMMC emerged. The findings of this study revealed that healthcare workers perceptions and understanding of VMMC were predominantly influenced by the hegemonic religious and cultural norms associated with male circumcision in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that tailored training to address healthcare workers misperceptions and poor understanding of VMMC is necessary to ensure that they become effective custodians for VMMC implementation.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5318hiv preventionhealthcare workersmedical circumcisionuptakevoluntary medical male circumcision |
| spellingShingle | Celenkosini T. Nxumalo Gugu G. Mchunu Healthcare providers’ perceptions and understanding of voluntary medical male circumcision in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A qualitative study South African Family Practice hiv prevention healthcare workers medical circumcision uptake voluntary medical male circumcision |
| title | Healthcare providers’ perceptions and understanding of voluntary medical male circumcision in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A qualitative study |
| title_full | Healthcare providers’ perceptions and understanding of voluntary medical male circumcision in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Healthcare providers’ perceptions and understanding of voluntary medical male circumcision in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Healthcare providers’ perceptions and understanding of voluntary medical male circumcision in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A qualitative study |
| title_short | Healthcare providers’ perceptions and understanding of voluntary medical male circumcision in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A qualitative study |
| title_sort | healthcare providers perceptions and understanding of voluntary medical male circumcision in kwazulu natal south africa a qualitative study |
| topic | hiv prevention healthcare workers medical circumcision uptake voluntary medical male circumcision |
| url | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5318 |
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