Thesis (Th. M.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [55]-63).

Thesis (Th. M.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [55]-63).

Thesis (M.A.(Religion))--University of South Australia, 2001. / Title taken from PDF title screen (viewed July 1, 2009).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2010. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 99 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 80-87).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, June, 2003. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 264-272)

Magister Artium - MA / This study focused on acceptability of medical male circumcision (MMC) in Ohangwena region, Namibia. Since the scaling up of this program in public hospitals, no study was done with a specific focus on men who are the target population for this intervention. This study aimed at exploring the role of masculinities in MMC acceptance and specifically focused on circumcised men. To understand this context, I initially focused on general constructions of masculinity as well as the historical background of ritual circumcision which used to be practiced in this region. I spent three months at Engela District Hospital working with the male circumcision (MC) regional coordinator who is also the MC Nurse at the same hospital. Data collection process utilised an ethnographic study design involving qualitative research methods namely participant observation, formal and informal interviews and the use of field notes. Participants included men who visited the hospital for circumcision procedure, health workers and community elders. Findings indicate that, circumcision that is now offered in hospital settings is not a recognised marker of masculinity in Ohangwena. There is also paucity of information regarding traditional circumcision. Since its abolishment in the eighteenth century, little is known about the history of this practice. Contemporary means of being a man in this setting are situated in everyday circumstances and include work, being strong, independent and ability to fulfil family responsibilities. Thus, in this context notions of masculinity do not determine men’s responses to MMC. Instead, men are motivated by health benefits in accepting MMC. MMC’s proven ability to reduce HIV transmission by 60% is the primary reason why most men are willing to be circumcised. Other reasons include genital hygiene and correction of medical conditions related to the foreskin such as ulcers and lacerations. Men’s knowledge and understanding of the relationship between MC and HIV prevention also plays a role in MMC acceptance. Some concerns that were raised by men in relation to this intervention are pain and discomfort, fear of complications, decreased penile sensitivity, transfer of untruthful information and gender of circumciser. I regard these concerns as barriers to MMC acceptance. This thesis also argues that, the manner in which MMC is performed out in public health facilities in not gender sensitive since it is mostly done by women. This act in my view is likely to make men feel emasculated and thus discourage other men from taking up this voluntary service. This study therefore recommends similar research in other contexts to challenge speculations made about the likely impact of MMC on masculinity, because, in my research, uptake of MMC has nothing to do with constructions of manhood. I further recommend provision of standardised equipments and resources including human resources for efficient provision of this program countrywide.

No description available.

Magister Public Health - MPH / Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) has been proven to reduce heterosexual HIV transmission to men by approximately 60%. It has been argued that achieving 80% circumcision coverage among males aged 15–49 years within five years and maintaining this coverage rate in subsequent years, could avert 3.4 million new HIV infections within 15 years and generate treatment and care savings of US$16.5 billion. As a result the South African Government plans to circumcise 4.3 million males aged 15 and 49 years by the 2015/2016 financial year. However, in the Western Cape the uptake for circumcision has been poor. While there is not a great deal of knowledge out there about the reasons for the uptake (or lack thereof) of VMMC in the Western Cape, current research focus on Xhosa males predominantly. However, there is limited research on circumcision among the "Coloured" population of the Western Cape. As the "Coloured" population is the largest group in the Western Cape, this gap in research and knowledge is worth noting. The current study aimed to explore the barriers to and enablers of uptake of VMMC among "Coloured" males between the ages of 15 and 49 years in the Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality. Methodology: The study adopted a qualitative design; semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven key informants, and two focus group discussions with men who had undergone VMMC and men who had chosen not to volunteer to undergo VMMC. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: The key enablers to uptake of VMMC were: the desire for improved hygiene; the reduction in the risk of contracting other STIs; the reduction in the risk of contracting HIV; the role of partners and family members who can encourage males to access services; the perceived improvement in the males' sexual experience and performance; and cultural reasons and religious injunction. On the other hand the key barriers that discouraged "Coloured" participants from accessing the services include: fear, particularly the fear of pain; the experience of the health services and the role of health staff; the six week healing period in which males cannot have sex; the unwillingness to alter the body that they were born with; role of partners and family as discouragers of uptake; the influence of gangsterism on the ability of males to access services offered on a different gang's 'turf'; and, substance abuse. The recommendations in this study focus largely on the need to expand the coverage of VMMC in the Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality and to increase the uptake among "Coloured" males between the ages of 15 and 49 years. . These recommendations essentially involve the need to break down the barriers and to accentuate the enablers. To this end social mobilisation campaigns should not focus solely on HIV prevention but rather on hygiene and improved sexual experience and appearance as well as the cultural and religious aspects. With regard to the barriers it is essential that any social mobilisation engages with the fear of pain. On method to do this would be through the introduction and expansion of the PrePex™ device. The fear that circumcision could impact on sexual performance and the fear of embarrassment and discomfort the whole process would potentially bring would need to be allayed. In addition it is essential that the health services and health staff are orientated and trained in a way that ensures that the process of circumcision is as easy as possible for the clients. / National Research Foundation

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Traditional male circumcision (TMC) is non-therapeutic ritual removal of the penile foreskin of a male person undertaken as part of a rite of passage from childhood into adulthood and manhood. The practice of TMC has received increased attention in recent years as a result primarily of complications that have led to hospitalization, penile amputations, and death of initiates. This study is a literature review and philosophical-ethical reflection with the following objectives: • To explain the current problems that beset TMC in South Africa • To explore the socio-cultural context in which TMC takes place in South Africa • To engage in ethical deliberation on the harms and benefits of TMC and determine whether, in its current form, the practice constitutes a net harm or benefit • To establish the ethical basis on which society ought to intervene in TMC, and to explore the modes of intervention proposed. Kepe (2010:729-730) identifies three concurrent crises that beset TMC in South Africa- the crisis of disease, injuries, and death suffered by some initiates, the crisis of the tension between the government and traditional leaders with regards to government intervention in TMC, and the crisis of the uncontrolled and negative way in which societal changes have impacted on the practice of traditional male circumcision. Male circumcision is the most widely accepted cultural practice among the Xhosa-speaking people of South Africa, and it is considered to be the only manner in which a boy can attain manhood and adulthood (Vincent, 2008). In view of the ongoing, unambiguous and preventable harm associated with TMC as it is currently practised, I think that it ought not to be allowed to continue in its current format. But I also think that the defect in TMC is remediable. I therefore feel sufficiently warranted to advocate for intervention to make the practice safer for all concerned. Intervention in TMC may be justified on public health, socio-cultural, autonomy, and beneficence grounds. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Tradisionele manlike besnyding (TMB) is die nie-terapeutiese, rituele verwydering van die peniele voorhuid van ’n manspersoon. Dit word gedoen as deel van ’n seremonie van oorgang vanaf kinderjare na volwassenheid en manlikheid. Die praktyk van TMB het die afgelope jare toenemende aandag geniet, hoofsaaklik as gevolg van komplikasies van die prosedure wat gelei het tot hospitalisasie, peniele amputasies en dood van die persone wat geïnisieer is. Hierdie studie is ’n literatuuroorsig en filosofies-etiese refleksie met die volgende doelwitte: • Om die huidige probleme met TMB in Suid-Afrika te verduidelik • Om die sosio-kulturele konteks waarin TMB in Suid-Afrika plaasvind, te ondersoek • Om vanuit etiese oorweging te verduidelik wat die nadele en voordele van TMB is en te bepaal of die praktyk, in die huidige vorm, suiwer nadelig of voordelig is • Om die etiese basis waarop die gemeenskap in TMB behoort in te tree, asook die voorgestelde metode van intervensie, te ondersoek. Kepe (2010:729-730) identifiseer drie samevallende krisisse wat TMB in Suid- Afrika insluit – die probleem van siekte, beserings en dood ondervind deur sommige inisiandi, spanning tussen die regering en tradisionele leiers met betrekking tot regerings-intervensie in TMB, en die ongekontroleerde en negatiewe wyse waarin samelewingsveranderinge ’n impak het op die praktyk van tradisionele manlike besnyding. Manlike besnyding is die mees algemene aanvaarde kulturele praktyk in die Xhosa-sprekende mense van Suid-Afrika. Dit word beskou as die enigste manier waarop ‘n seun manlikheid en volwassenheid kan bereik (Vincent, 2008). In die lig van die voortdurende, ondubbelsinnige en voorkomende nadele wat geassosieer word met TMB soos dit tans beoefen word, dink ek dit behoort nie toegelaat te word in die huidige formaat nie. Maar ek dink ook dat die gebrek in TMB herstelbaar is. Daarom voel ek genoegsaam verseker om intervensie te verdedig om die praktyk veiliger te maak vir almal betrokke. Intervensie in TMB mag geregverdig word op grond van publieke , sosiaalkulturele en outonomiese voordele.

Wang, Zixin. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 215-223). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract and appendixes also in Chinese.