Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision and Perceived Sexual Functioning, Satisfaction, and Risk Behavior: A Qualitative Study in Botswana

This article examines perceptions of sexual functioning, satisfaction, and risk-taking related to voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) in Botswana. Twenty-seven focus group discussions were conducted in four purposively selected communities with community leaders, men, and women. Discussions w...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of sexual behavior 2020-04, Vol.49 (3), p.983-998
Main Authors: Ledikwe, Jenny H., Mawandia, Shreshth, Kleinman, Nora J., Ntsuape, Conrad, Ramabu, Nankie M., Semo, Bazghina-werq, Wirth, Kathleen E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavioral Science and Psychology
Circumcision
Erectile dysfunction
Males
Original Paper
Psychology
Public Health
Qualitative research
Sexual Behavior
Social Sciences
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This article examines perceptions of sexual functioning, satisfaction, and risk-taking related to voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) in Botswana. Twenty-seven focus group discussions were conducted in four purposively selected communities with community leaders, men, and women. Discussions were analyzed using an inductive content analytic approach. Perceptions of VMMC’s impact on sexual functioning and satisfaction varied. Increased satisfaction was attributed to improved penile health and increased ejaculatory latency time, whereas decreased satisfaction was attributed to erectile dysfunction and increased vaginal irritation during sex. Most participants thought sexual disinhibition occurred after circumcision; nevertheless, some women said they used male circumcision status as a marker of HIV status, thereby influencing sexual decision-making and partner selection. Messaging should emphasize that VMMC does not afford complete HIV protection. Optimizing VMMC’s impact requires increasing uptake while minimizing behavioral disinhibition, with a balance between potential messaging of improved sexual functioning and satisfaction and the potential impact on sexual disinhibition.
ISSN:0004-0002
1573-2800
DOI:10.1007/s10508-019-01589-7