HIV outcomes and sexual behaviors among circumcised and uncircumcised males in rural Southern Zimbabwe – a comparative study

This was a matched cohort study composed of 100 circumcised HIV negative men and an equal number of uncircumcised HIV negative men at baseline. Data was collected on HIV status, prior infection with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexual practices after five years of follow-up and analyzed using SPSS version 30®. Circumcised participants had higher risk of indulging with multiple sexual partners (RR 2.0 95%CI: 1.35 − 3.00), unprotected sexual intercourse (RR 2.01 95%CI: 1.20–2.90), and sexual intercourse with a high-risk partner (RR 2.0 95%CI: 1.30 − 2.50), compared to the uncircumcised . Circumcised men had a reduced risk of infection with HIV (RR 0.30 95%CI: 0.14 − 0.55) and other STIs (RR 0.45 95% CI: 0.30 − 0.60). It is crucial to assess the comprehensibility, appropriateness and effectiveness of circumcision promotional messages. Generating behavioral data on perceptions, experiences and influences surrounding VMMC is critical for informing evidence-based policies and programmatic decisions that enhance uptake and effectiveness.