MALE CIRCUMCISION AND RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN ZIMBABWE: EVIDENCE FROM
THE 2010-11 ZIMBABWE DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEY

MALE CIRCUMCISION AND RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN ZIMBABWE: EVIDENCE FROM
THE 2010-11 ZIMBABWE DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEY

STEPHEN MUTUNGWE

CULVER MVUMI

SEKAI ANNASTASIA MANYIWO

In 2009, Zimbabwe adopted voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) as an additional method of HIV
prevention. The promotion of VMMC has raised a major concern that it might lead to an increase in high-risk
sexual behavior, a phenomenon known as risk compensation or behavioral disinhibition. This study sought to
test whether circumcised men in Zimbabwe are more likely to have engaged in risky sexual behavior. The
study used data collected from 7,480 men age 15-54 who were interviewed during the 2010-11 Zimbabwe
Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS). Logistic regression was used to assess the association between
circumcision and risky sexual behaviors. The study found no statistically significant association between male
circumcision and risky sexual behavior. These results suggest a need to continue monitoring the relationships
between ongoing VMCC campaigns and men’s risky sexual behavior. Information dissemination on VMMC
should emphasize caution in messages promoting medical male circumcision to avoid giving the impression
that it provides immunity against HIV

African Population Studies

2014