Page 110 - SAHCS HIVMed Journal Vol 20 No 1 2019

Page 8 of 9 Original Research

sexual debut and early diagnosis of STIs is disseminated research, which found that these men perceived themselves
3
during VCT sessions and in some cases male circumcision. to be at no risk for HIV infection. Apostolic sect members
34
The likelihood is that those who have ever been tested for usually put stringent restrictions on sexual behaviour, which
HIV were informed or educated about the availability of make them believe that they are not at risk of HIV infection. 34
male circumcision as an option to prevent HIV infection. For instance, they encourage intermarriage within the church,
virginity tests for young girls, polygamy practices and use of
In addition, ever having heard of VMMC was found to be the Holy Spirit to detect adultery. This has implications for
statistically significantly associated with knowledge about young men affiliated to the apostolic sect’s perception of HIV
male circumcision. Youth who had ever heard of VMMC infection. Studies have shown that religion impacts on
were more likely to have high knowledge of male circumcision human behavioural and health outcomes. 35
compared to those had never heard of it. This could be a
result of availability of different mass media advertisement With regard to Pentecostal Christians, the findings of the
about VMMC. According to a study in Zimbabwe among current study are consistent with those of a previous study,
35
respondents aged 15–49 years in rural and urban areas, a which also found that Pentecostal Christians perceived
higher proportion of the respondents had heard of VMMC. 26 themselves to be at low risk of HIV infection. Plausibly, the
association between low perception of risk of HIV infection
As expected, youth who were circumcised were knowledgeable and Pentecostalism could be attributed to their teachings on
about male circumcision in comparison to those who were nurturing religious experiences and strong synergies
uncircumcised. The present findings are consistent with other encouraged among members. Socialisation of congregants
research, which found that males who were circumcised were towards more frequent and overlapping interactions can
more likely to have high levels of knowledge about male discourage members’ involvement in risky sexual behaviours
circumcision. Perhaps the reason why circumcised youth and hence impact on their perception of risk of HIV infection. 36
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have high knowledge about male circumcision is as a result of
intensive information dissemination by health professionals Youth belonging to the Shona ethnic group were less likely to
before circumcision takes place in health institutions in perceive themselves to be at low risk of HIV infection
Zimbabwe. compared to other ethnic groups, which perceived itself to be
at no risk of HIV infection. Perhaps the Shona perception of
The findings suggest marital status had a significant risk of HIV infection is not surprising considering the fact that
influence on perception of risk of HIV infection. For example, in Zimbabwe and other sub-Saharan Africa communities they
formerly married youths were more likely to perceive have cultural practices conducive to the spread of HIV such as
themselves to be at higher risk of HIV infection compared to wife inheritance, which involves relatives of the deceased
those who had never married. However, previous findings husband marrying the widow. In most cases, condoms are
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have found that, in general, people tend to underestimate not used in this new relationship, because they are not usually
their risk of HIV. 31,32 used among married couples. If the widow’s first husband
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died from HIV, she would be more likely to transmit HIV
In addition, the present study found that education influences and/or STIs to the new husband. The practice of wife
perception of risk of HIV infection. For instance, youth with inheritance is also prevalent in the Bondo District in Kenya. 39
secondary education were less likely to perceive themselves
to be at a higher risk of HIV infection compared to respondents In addition, those who had ever tested for HIV were more
with higher education. However, youth with primary likely to perceive themselves to be at low risk of HIV infection
education were less likely to perceive themselves to be at low compared to those who had never tested. This relationship
risk of HIV infection compared to those with both secondary could be explained by the fact that HIV is highly stigmatised.
and higher education. As education increases, the young Hence, ever taking the test and obtaining negative HIV
men are more likely to perceive themselves to be at high risk results makes men aged 15–35 years feel they are not at risk
of HIV infection, most likely because they understand the of HIV infection. With respect to approval of VCT prior to
dynamics of HIV infection. However, these results are male circumcision, respondents who approved of VCT prior
inconsistent with previous studies; for instance, a study to circumcision were less likely to perceive themselves to be
among military personnel in Nigeria found an inverse at risk of HIV infection compared to those who did not
relationship between educational attainment and HIV risk approve of it. Perhaps those who approve of VCT prior to
perception. Results from that study found that those with circumcision are youth who regularly check their status and
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higher education were less likely to perceive themselves to be for that reason perceive themselves to be at low risk of HIV
at high risk of HIV infection. infection.

Furthermore, the results showed religious variations in Conclusion
perception of risk of HIV infection. Youth who belonged to
Pentecostal churches and apostolic sects were less likely to The findings identified a knowledge deficit about male
perceive themselves to be at a higher risk of HIV infection circumcision among youth with primary and secondary
compared to respondents with no religion. However, the education, indicating the probability of low uptake of male
findings of the current study do not support previous circumcision as an HIV intervention measure in Harare.

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