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Behavioral & Social Science

Category: Circumcision

(P27) Factors influencing the uptake of voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) among boda-boda riders aged 18-49 years in Hoima, Western Uganda.

Tuesday, July 25, 2023
16:00 – 18:00 CST


Background: In Uganda, transport workers such as boda-boda riders (term commonly used to describe motorcycle and bicycle taxis) and long-distance truckers are known to be at risk of HIV acquisition and transmission. Conceptually, uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) among these key populations is vital in reducing this burden. Despite high levels of awareness about availability and benefits of VMMC, uptake is low. We assessed factors influencing the uptake of VMMC among boda-boda riders aged 18-49 years in Hoima, western Uganda.

Methods: We employed mixed methods design among boda-boda riders in Hoima district between August and September 2020. We administered structured questionnaires to 316 boda-boda riders to determine factors associated with uptake of VMMC. We also conducted eight focus group discussions (FGDs) and six key informant interviews (KIIs) to explore perceptions of VMMC. We conducted modified poisson regression analysis at 5% level of significance. We identified sociocultural barriers and facilitators for VMMC using thematic content analysis.



Results: Uptake of VMMC was at 33.9% (95% CI; 28.6-39.1); and was associated with higher level of education; adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) 1.63, 95% CI; 1.12-2.40), concern about being away from work; APR 0.66 (95 % CI; 0.49-0.88) and the non-belief that VMMC diminishes sexual performance APR 1.78 (95% CI; 1.08-2.9). Facilitators of VMMC were health education and awareness creation, improved penile hygiene and perceived sexual functioning; and reduced chances of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Barriers were fear of pain and compulsory HIV testing, financial loss during the healing period, fear of sexual misbehavior after circumcision, and interruption of God’s creation.



Conclusion: Although VMMC is largely perceived as protective against HIV and other STIs, deliberate measures using multiple strategies should be put in place to address the barriers to its uptake among this key population.