Introduction: Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) reduces chances
of contracting HIV during heterosexual intercourse in males, and risk of cervical
cancer in their female sexual partners. However, its uptake among traditionally
circumcising communities, where male circumcision carries a cultural
significance, has not been studied. Previous research has focused on barriers
to uptake of VMMC in non-circumcising communities. This study was conducted
to determine socio-cultural barriers to VMMC uptake in order to
identify culture-sensitive and evidence-based interventions to increase its uptake.
Methodology: This exploratory mixed methods cross-sectional study
generated quantitative data from 262 randomly sampled sexually active men;
and qualitative data through four focus-group discussions with 58 purposely
selected male participants and 10 key informants. Results: The study established
that only 6.3% (n = 15) of those circumcised (90.8%, n = 238) were circumcised
in clinical setting. Limited access to VMMC services, cost, pain, being
attended to by female providers and cultural influences were the major
hindrances to uptake of VMMC. Conclusion: Although there is a paradigm
shift of preference from traditional male circumcision to VMMC in this
community, its uptake is low. The study recommends that besides introducing
mobile VMMC services, the Ministry of Health should collaborate with traditional
circumcisers and local leaders to provide gender-and-culture-sensitive
safer medical male circumcision services.