Abstract:

Medical male circumcision (MMC) and HIV testing have been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as part of a comprehensive approach to HIV prevention. Zambia has integrated MMC with HIV testing interventions. This study examined the syndemic relationship between MMC and HIV testing, as well as sociodemographic characteristics influencing both MMC and HIV testing in Zambia. Data were derived from the 2018 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS), a nationally representative cross-sectional survey conducted among 12,123 men aged 15 to 59 years. Descriptive characteristics were summarized using frequencies and proportions. Two multivariate logistic regression models examined the relationship between independent and dependent variables (HIV testing and MMC alternatively). The results showed that 76.8% of men reported having ever tested for HIV, and 26% performed MMC. The logistic regression results showed that MMC was significantly associated with ever being tested for HIV and vice versa. Sociodemographic characteristics, including province, resident type, age, marital status, education, wealth status, and religion, were also significantly associated with MMC and having tested for HIV among men in Zambia. By and large, this study has identified that both MMC and HIV have an intricate relationship with health benefits to reduce the risk of HIV infections for men in Zambia. There is a need for continuous scaling up the perceived benefits of MMC and HIV testing uptake. In addition, more robust awareness is needed in specific provinces, rural areas, and other sociodemographic variables with lower incidences of MMC and HIV testing practices among men in Zambia.

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