OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of promoting male circumcision among the general population in the high HIV prevalence areas of Guangxi Province.

METHODSWe interviewed 590 male residents from Hezhou and Qinzhou areas of Guangxi Province and conducted intervention using male circumcision promotion materials and various methods. If the subjects were willing and had no contraindication, they were referred to the appointed hospitals to receive circumcision. We conducted follow-up visits at 6 and 9 months after intervention for the changes in the subjects' knowledge, attitude and practice related to male circumcision.

RESULTSThe male circumcision knowledge, willingness and operation rate were significantly improved after intervention (P < 0.05), but with no significant difference between the two follow-up visits (P > 0.05). The number of those who knew that phimosis and redundant prepuce were the reasons for circumcision increased from 66.1% at baseline to 81.9% and 79.8% at the two follow-up visits; those who knew that circumcision could prevent AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases increased from 28.0% to 77.4% and 78.6%; those who knew that surgical complications could be pain, bleeding and infection increased from 29.5%, 19.3% and 39.3% to 72.5%, 58.2% and 59.4% at the first follow-up and 75.0%, 57.0% and 63.0% at the second; those who were willing to receive circumcision increased from 35.3% at baseline to 59.6% and 61.3% at the two follow-up visits; and the rate of surgery increased from zero to 12.7% and 16.1%.

CONCLUSIONThe promotion of male circumcision among the general population in the high HIV prevalence areas of Guangxi Province significantly improved their knowledge, attitude and practice related to AIDS prevention. And the promotion activities should focus on the publicity of AIDS knowledge, risks of phimosis and redundant prepuce, and safety of circumcision.