Healthcare providers' knowledge, attitudes and practices towards medical male circumcision and their understandings of its partial efficacy in HIV prevention: Qualitative research in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

backgroundMedical male circumcision has been shown to reduce HIV transmission to an uninfected male partner. In South Africa, medical male circumcision programs were rolled-out in 2010.

objectivesPrior to roll-out, we explored healthcare providers' knowledge, attitudes and practices about medical male circumcision and their understandings of partial efficacy for HIV prevention.

designWe conducted qualitative research, using in-depth interviews.

settingParticipants were from three rural and three urban primary healthcare clinics, randomly selected in eThekwini District, KwaZulu-Natal.

participants25 healthcare providers (including nurse managers, nurses and counselors) were purposively selected from the clinics.

methodsIn-depth interviews were recorded, transcribed and translated. Independent researchers reviewed the transcripts and developed a codebook based on emergent themes, using thematic analysis. NVivo 8 was used to facilitate data management, coding and analysis.

resultsAlthough most providers had heard that medical male circumcision can reduce risk of HIV acquisition in men, most did not have accurate scientific understandings of this. Some providers had misperceptions about the limited/partial protection medical male circumcision offers. Many had concerns that their communities would misunderstand it, causing increased risky sexual behavior.

conclusionsThese data provide a baseline of providers' understandings of medical male circumcision prior to roll-out, and can be used to compare current data and ensure accurate messaging to clients. Healthcare provider messaging should build client understandings of the meaning of partially efficacious technologies.