Abstract:
Male circumcision has been practised traditionally as one of the initiation rites that prepare boys
for manhood. The Primary focus for this initiation rite was sexuality education. However,
concern exists regarding the safety and hygiene of traditional male circumcision. This concern
has resulted in boys seeking medical assistance in large numbers at hospitals for medical male
circumcision. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended male circumcision as an
HIV/AIDS prevention strategy. This study aimed to determine the extent of health education
pertaining to HIV/AIDS prevention provided to boys undergoing male circumcision in a hospital
setting. A descriptive quantitative survey was used. The study applied convenience sampling for
selecting 50 males, aged between 12 and 21 years from the Vhavenda ethnic group, who were
undergoing male circumcision in hospitals A, B, and C in the Vhembe district. Data were
collected through a self-designed standardised questionnaire administered through face-to-face
interviews. The results of the study showed that the participants had a basic knowledge regarding
HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention and that provision of health education in hospitals was
limited, as healthcare practitioners concentrated on the procedure namely male circumcision
only. Re-orientation and sensitisation of healthcare providers on the importance of health
education for providing more in-depth knowledge about HIV/AIDS and the role of male
circumcision in HIV/AIDS prevention were also recommended.
