Parents' rationale for male circumcision

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Figure 1 Parent opinions on pursuing elective circumcision
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Figure 2 Circumcision status of expecting parent in relation to support of circumcision

Table 1 Three most important factors parents considered when deciding whether to circumcise their sons

FACTORS	PROPORTION OF PARENTS
Supporting circumcision
Hygiene	61.9
Prevention of infection or cancer	44.8
Father is circumcised	40.9
Not supporting circumcision
Not medically necessary	32.0
Father is not circumcised	18.8
Concerns about infection and bleeding during procedure	15.5

Table 2

Single most important factor in supporting circumcision, as indicated by parents: N = 143.

FACTORS	N (%)
Hygiene	73 (51.0)
Prevention of infection or cancer	22 (15.4)
Father circumcised	12 (8.4)
Personal preference	11 (7.7)
Religion	9 (6.3)
Doctor advises it	5 (3.5)
Looks better	3 (2.1)
It just seems right	3 (2.1)
To look like other boys	2 (1.4)
Other sons are circumcised	0 (0.0)
Other	3 (2.1)

Table 3

Single most important factor in not supporting circumcision, as indicated by parents: N = 92.

FACTORS	N (%)
Not medically necessary	50 (54.3)
Concerned with infection or bleeding	13 (14.1)
Father is not circumcised	9 (9.8)
Hurts too much	9 (9.8)
Baby has no input in decision	6 (6.5)
Looks better	5 (5.4)
Other sons are not circumcised	0 (0.0)
Other	0 (0.0)