Prevalence And Determinants To Acceptability Regarding Male Circumcision Among Non-Muslim Children In Urumqi

Objective:The current study aims at the prevalence,the acceptability,knowledge,and attitude of male circumcision (MC) in traditionally non-circumcising population in Urumqi,Xinjiang. Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Urumqi city,Xinjiang of China among a representative sample of non-Muslim school-aged male children (n=3614). A representative subgroup of mothers (n=873) and fathers (n=927) of the male students were investigated by using the standard questionnaire. The prevalence of MC in male children and the sub-group of their fathers,as well as knowledge,attitude to MC,and the willingness to circumcise their male children were analyzed. Results:More than 49% of the investigated students and 24.2% of their fathers have been circumcised,half before age of 13. After given simple information about health effects of MC,up to 66% fathers and 70.8% mothers with non-circumcised sons reported their willing to circumcise their sons at proper time. Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that parents with higher education of parents,higher family income,and with family member circumcised (or father himself circumcised) were more likely to circumcise their sons (OR within 1.29-8.53,Ps<=0.029). Parents with higher scores of worrying about side effect of MC were less likely to circumcise their sons (OR=0.64,95%CI 0.51-0.81). Conclusions:It is first report that about half of the non-Muslim male school students already circumcised. MC is more acceptable than expected in traditionally non-circumcising pediatric population in Urumqi,China. The acceptability of MC of parents is expected to be higher (over 80%) after given comprehensive education about MC.