| dc.description.abstract | Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) reduces risk of HIV acquisition in heterosexual
relationships. Kenya adopted VMMC as an HIV prevention strategy in 2008 and has been making
significant progress towards achievement of its circumcision targets. In Kenya, Nyanza region with
the highest HIV prevalence and lowest male circumcision prevalence has been the focus of VMMC
activities. The focus of research around VMMC and VMMC associated activities such as HIV
education and counseling about the partial protection of VMMC have only targeted men. It remains
largely unclear if VMMC has any influence on mv related risk behaviours and perceptions amongst
women and in particular young women (18-24yrs) from the informal settlements who, due to various
factors, are susceptible to risky sexual behaviours. The purpose of this study was to explore the
influence ofVMMC on HIV related risk behaviours and perceptions among young women aged18-
24yrs in Manyatta "A" sub-Location, Kisumu City. The specific objectives were to, determine the
level of awareness of VMMC as an HIV prevention strategy among young women (18-24 yrs) in
Manyatta "A" sub-Location; establish behaviours and perceptions that reduce HIV prevalence among
young women aged 18-24yrs women in Manyatta 'A' sub-Location; and, find out the extent of
women (l8-24yrs) involvement in VMMC activities in Manyatta 'A' sub-Location. The study
employed a cross sectional descriptive study design. The study targeted young women (18-24 yrs)
living in Manyatta "A" sub-Location, Kisumu East constituency, Kisumu City. Snowball technique
was used to sample 384 respondents. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected using
household questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Descriptive
statistics were used to analyze data quantitatively in the form of percentages and frequencies while
qualitative data was coded and analyzed along the key thematic issues informed by the study
objectives. The findings indicated 72.7% did not have the factual knowledge on the importance of
VMMC to women. On behaviours that reduce HIV on women, 70.4% of respondents indicated that
condom use even with circumcised men was a strategy that reduces HIV infection risk. 63.9% of
respondents indicated that continued involvement in other prevention programs could reduce HIV
. infection in women in view of partial protection of VMMC. On the extent of women involvement in
VMMC as HIV prevention strategy 52.3% of respondents indicated that they attend counseling
sessions with their partners to help them deal with fear and masculine pride. The study concludes that
there is enough awareness about VMMC. The message content of VMMC however is not detailed
and therefore targeted audience does not have factual information about VMMC. Condom use and
involvement in other prevention programs such as sexually transmitted infection screening and
treatment for both men and women were behaviours identified by the respondents as reducing HIV
infection risk. The study recommended that government and other stakeholders should formulate a
policy that would ensure that factual information of VMMC reaches the targeted audience through
electronic media such as radio and television which was preferred by the respondents | en_US |
