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LUSAKA. Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Male circumcision is not a new thing in Zambia. Communities mainly in the Northwestern Province of the country and a few other places have long practiced it usually as a rite of passage for boys.
However, medical male circumcision, which is the removal of the foreskin of the male reproductive organ by a medical expert, is gaining popularity among men in Zambia.
During recent snap interviews conducted in Lusaka and Central Province respectively, the majority of the men spoke highly of the benefits of medical male circumcision in stating that it reduces chances of contracting HIV and promotes personal hygiene among others.
Yakobe Mwewa, aged 25 years who underwent the procedure at a government health facility two years ago said many of his peers have been encouraged to do the same because of the benefits of medical male circumcision.
Mwewa, a resident of Lusaka, Zambia's capital emphasized the need for boys and men to undergo medical male circumcision as one is assured of receiving the right support before and after the procedure.
Jonas Chibuye, aged 38 years who at the time of the interview was at a named health facility in Kapiri Mposhi, Central Province for review after two weeks of undergoing circumcision said the procedure is not only beneficial to reducing numbers of HIV in the country about also boosts men's self-esteem.
"The procedure is not that painful and the wound heals in no time. I think it's best to focus on the benefits," Chibuye said.
And community health promoter, Assan Mumba who is working to advance medical male circumcision in various communities said the response has been overwhelming as more men, both young and old demonstrated interest in undergoing the medical procedure at various health facilities.
"Health facilities are at times overwhelmed with numbers of clients wanting to undergo the procedure. This increased interest in medical male circumcision can be attributed to the benefits that come with the procedure," Mumba asserted.
He was however quick to caution against using circumcision as a license for promiscuous behavior adding that one is still prone to contracting HIV and a range of sexually transited infections despite being circumcised.
Voluntary male medical circumcision reduces female to male transmission of HIV by approximately 60 percent, according to a 2019 UNAIDS report. Enditem