A dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Social Sciences in the Department of Anthropology Faculty of Humanities University of the Witwatersrand March 2016 / This is a study of the material culture associated with male circumcision rituals among Hlubi people in the Matatiele region of South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province. In recent years social scientists and public commentators have paid increasing attention to male circumcision in the context of controversies around ‘botched’ circumcisions, on the one hand, and the growing evidence, on the other hand, that male circumcision plays a role in restricting the spread of HIV. Much less attention has been paid, however, to a vital issue that underpins all these concerns: what materials give male circumcision its distinctive qualities as a cultural process, and how do various kinds of participants and observers think about those materials in relation to other domains of material culture, e.g. medical circumcision. This study will approach the topic through unstructured interviews conducted with various groups of informants / MT2017

Background: Female circumcision or female genital mutilation is a tradition that is carried out mainly in Africa. The intervention refers to that part of- or all of the girl’s external genital organs are removed.  Aim: The study's purpose was to highlight the consequences of female circumcision in the encounter with western health care. Method: A systematic literature reviews was performed as a method. Twelve articles were selected for the study and these were sought in Chinal, PubMed and PsycINFO. Analysis and interpretation was done according to qualitative content analysis, inspired by Lundman and Granheim. Eriksson, Birkler, Dahlberg and Segersten’s nursing theory was used as background in the discussion. Results: The analysis process resulted in six categories: laws and guidelines, offence, communication, knowledge, vulnerability and nursing. The results showed that offence occur extensively against genitally mutilated women and the exposure of these women. The results also showed a strong need for knowledge, laws and guidelines. Conclusions: Health care professionals need to have a basic knowledge of female circumcision and clear guidelines to ensure good care. The nurse should also keep themselves updated of new research and search for knowledge to improve their care.

The practice of female genital mutilation is a global problem and it is prevalent in Africa. According to the United Nations Children's Education Fund (2005), each year about three million women and girls are subjected to female genital mutilation, predominantly in parts of Africa and a few Asian and Middle East countries. The situation is the same in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, where a large number of women and children have undergone and continue to undergo female genital mutilation. According to a UNICEF study, over 32% of Nigeria's female population has endured female genital mutilation and its attendant negative health and human rights consequences (UNICEF 2003: 2).Though Nigeria does not, at present, have a federal law banning female genital mutilation, the process of introducing one has been set in motion by the House of Representatives (lower house), which passed the HB22 Bill in 2007 (Deen 2008:1), which is still awaiting ratification by the Senate (Upper House) and acceptance by the Executive. However, eight out of the thirty-six states in Nigeria have passed laws prohibiting the practice of female genital mutilation (Jimoh 2005). The broad focus of this study was to explore the implementation of social regulatory policy, using the case of the implementation of female genital mutilation legislation in Nigeria. A policy analysis of social regulatory policy was investigated, with secondary studies on the implementation of female genital mutilation legislation in Nigeria. The broad issues investigated in the study include identifying the main aims and objectives of social regulatory policy; the policy instruments employed in the implementation of social regulatory policy; the implementation process of social regulatory policy; and the challenges and successes experienced by implementors in implementing social regulatory policy. The key issues the study sought to investigate include identifying the aims and objectives of female genital mutilation legislation in Nigeria; the policy instruments employed to implement female genital mutilation legislation; the implementation process of female genital mutilation legislation; and the challenges and successes experienced by implementors in implementing female genital mutilation legislation. The findings of social regulatory policy analysis showed that public participation is critical to the effective implementation of social regulatory policies, as they may encounter implementation difficulties if there is no provision for public participation during policy formulation. This in itself can give the government a better understanding of the socio-cultural issues at stake. These studies also showed that the wrong combination of policy instruments can hinder the effectiveness of social regulatory policy. Out of the varying policy instruments employed for policy implementation, government must choose the right combination of instruments that suits the intended policy outcome, in order to produce different effects. In order for social regulatory policies to be effective, implementers responsible for implementing social regulatory policy need to understand policy goals and be committed to its objectives. Adequate resources, both capital and human, must be invested in employing and training implementing agents. Finally, building and fostering networks and collaboration with civil society are critical to the successful implementation of social regulatory policies. In terms of application to this case study, the present investigation revealed that the implementation of female genital mutilation legislation in Nigeria has been difficult, and crippled with challenges, due to a number of factors that hinder effective policy outcome. These challenges are not unrelated to the fact that democracy is still nascent in Nigeria. First, there was a lack of public participation in the policy formulation process, which had negative consequences for effective implementation. Second, policymakers did not employ suitable policy instruments and this has hindered the implementation of female genital mutilation legislation. Third, a lack of common goal definition between implementing agents and policymakers has led to problems during the implementation of the policy. Other problems which have hindered the effective implementation of the policy include lack of skilled adequate resources, both capital and human, needed for the implementation of the policy. Finally, this study showed that government's failure to involve and collaborate with other actors/stakeholders through building networks with non-governmental organizations negatively affected the policy process. Building networks encourages the exchange of skills and information which can bring about effective policy implementation. The study concludes that these problems are pertinent to social regulatory policies, in general. Public participation in the policy formulation process must be encouraged, through active collaboration with civil society; employing the right policy implementation instruments and building institutional capacity (manpower) and providing adequate funding remain critical to the effective implementation of female genital mutilation legislation, not only in Nigeria, but in other places where such practices are deeply rooted in cultural beliefs. Also, for legislation to be effective, it must comprise the appropriate legal measures (that is, creating proper legal structures and legislation that will constrain and guide the behaviour of targets), regulatory measures (this involves the use of enforcement measures in order to compel the desired behavioural change) and policy measures (which encourages the participation of the targets in the policy process). / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2005. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

M.A. (Public Management and Governance) / This study starts with an introduction and background, and this is followed by a statement of the research problem, research rationale, research objectives, research design, research methodology and the data collection methods. A list of acronyms will be provided, as well as an overview of chapters, conclusions, and acknowledgements. “Around 5.7 million in 2009 had contracted HIV and AIDS and in the preceding year 250,000 South Africans died due to HIV/AIDS related diseases. All age categories and gender are prone to contracting the disease and the resultant loss of life has had a devastating effect on the workforce. Death due to this disease has caused loss of income and family disintegration” (Sottile 2013:2). In 2010, some 280,000 South Africans died of HIV/AIDS. In the decade up to 2010, between 42% and 47% of all deaths among South Africans were HIV/AIDS-related deaths (Sottile 2013:2). Mlambo et al (2011:1) further say that “The Human Sciences Research Council estimates that 10.9% of all South Africans have HIV/AIDS. Additionally, the Central Intelligence Agency estimates that 310,000 individuals died in South Africa from HIV/AIDS in the year 2009”. A study in 2003 made a comparison on two scenarios, an HIV/AIDS scenario and a no-HIV/AIDS scenario and this was based on the annual growth rates between 2002 and 2015. The finding was that “real growth in GDP would be 0.6% lower than if there were no HIV/AIDS, but per-capita growth in GDP would be 0.9% higher. Growth in population would have been 1.5% lower, and growth of the labour force would be 1.2% lower, but the unemployment rate would be 0.9% lower as well” (Avert.Org 2010:2). Different HIV/AIDS prevention strategies are being implemented in South Africa. The focus in this study is on male medical circumcision (hereafter MMC), which is the removal of all or part of the foreskin on the penis. It can either be performed surgically in hospitals or at initiation schools. Initiation schools perform the procedure as a traditional rite of passage from boyhood to manhood, and this is referred to as traditional male circumcision (TMC). This practice has up till now been performed purely for traditional or religious purposes, but it can no longer be viewed only as such. It should, instead, also be seen as a measure to curb the spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. A number of observational studies (which will be referenced later) found that circumcised men had smaller chances of contracting HIV infection compared with uncircumcised men...

This study seeks to investigate form and content of African music as exemplified by Bukusu circumcision music. Technological products, growth of urban centres, emergence of industries and the widespread of deadly diseases such as HIV/AIDS have led to remarkable adjustments in the social behaviour and other ways of life in African communities. These adjustments have strained the socio-cultural patterns of African traditional ceremonies leading to a shift in the form, content, significance and performance of music in such ceremonies. The dilemma and problem in the Bukusu community is centred on how to strike a balance between the traditional and modern perspectives in the form, content, organization and performance of Bukusu circumcision music. This dilemma has given rise to three protagonists: the traditionalists, semi-traditionalists and modernists. While traditionalists advocate for the traditional organization and performance of Bukusu circumcision music, the semi-traditionalists mix the modern and traditional aspects. On the other hand, the modernists have altogether done away with the traditional music. This study identifies, investigates and explains the various structures, forms, meanings and functions of traditional Bukusu circumcision music against the backdrop of modernity. Here, by modernity we mean capitalistic and monetary oriented economies together with religious ideologies foreign to the African belief systems. Such ideologies are, for example, embodied in Christianity and Islam. It is recommended that important virtues embodied in the Bukusu circumcision ritual be incorporated and perpetuated within the modern social trends. This would sustain the social controls that such virtues effect and, by extension, stand for in most African communities. Primary and secondary sources of data were consulted. Collection of primary data involved carrying out both participant and non-participant observations in Bungoma District in Western Province of Kenya, where most Bukusus reside. Interviews and focus group discussions were also employed in primary data collection. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to identify respondents who included circumcisers, initiates, song leaders, singers and instrumentalists among others. Secondary sources included information from written materials like books, journals, reports, articles, seminar papers and periodicals. Findings of this research are a record of Bukusu circumcision music, which is ever evolving to conform to the changing socio-cultural and economic situation of the society. They are an invaluable assessment tool in the evaluation of the past, present and future perspectives of the music. Above all, the findings are a repository for reference by future generations in scholarship and ethnomusicological research. / Thesis (DMus (Music))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Music / unrestricted

Medical male circumcision prevalence in Lesotho remains at 23% even though efforts are made to encourage men to be circumcised. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe perceptions of men regarding male circumcision in a hospital in Morija, Lesotho and make recommendations on how to promote uptake of medical male circumcision. A descriptive, explorative and contextual qualitative design was used. In-depth, unstructured individual interviews were conducted on ten (10) uncircumcised men who were selected via purposive sampling. The findings revealed that men’s perceptions on circumcision can be classified under the following themes: perceived health beliefs of men about circumcision, perceived community-held beliefs about circumcision, men’s knowledge regarding circumcision, and perceived misconceptions about circumcision. It is recommended that knowledge on circumcision be reinforced and negative perceptions be corrected with the multi-sectoral approach to promote uptake of circumcision services. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public health)

Xhosa people practise the circumcision ritual. The exciting period is during the pre- circumcision. It is also the time when Xhosa teenage boys experience various problems associated with the ritual. The main purpose of the study was to explore and describe Xhosa teenage boys' experiences of the period prior to the circumcision ritual in East London in the Eastern Cape Province. A descriptive, exploratory and descriptive qualitative research design was followed and 28 participants volunteered to participate. In-depth phenomenological focus group interviews were conducted. Data analysis revealed two themes: social pressure on teenage Xhosa boys associated with the ritual, and depression associated with the treatment of teenage Xhosa boys by their communities. The study recommends that all stakeholders be involved in the performance of the ritual. A limitation of the study was failure to include stakeholders. The researcher recommends further research to involve all stakeholders of the ritual. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

A quantitative and descriptive type of study design was followed using structured self-administered questionnaires distributed among 84 conveniently selected male adolescent learners from Nanogang Community Junior Secondary School (NCJSS) in Gaborone. The purpose of this study was to describe factors that influence the uptake of safe male circumcision (SMC) as a human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) prevention strategy among male adolescent learners. The study findings show that protection from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) was found to be the main reason for adolescent learners undergoing male circumcision (MC) (p<.01). Reasons such as maintenance of genital hygiene, culture, religion, and the enhancement of sexual pleasure were not found to be significant factors. Misconceptions such as the belief that girls do not like circumcised partners were found to be the main reason for adolescent learners not undergoing MC (p<.05). A number of factors which were claimed in previous studies to be obstacles for the uptake of MC, such as surgical complications, peer pressure, stigma, and discrimination, were not found to be major obstacles / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Xhosa people practise the circumcision ritual. The exciting period is during the pre- circumcision. It is also the time when Xhosa teenage boys experience various problems associated with the ritual. The main purpose of the study was to explore and describe Xhosa teenage boys' experiences of the period prior to the circumcision ritual in East London in the Eastern Cape Province. A descriptive, exploratory and descriptive qualitative research design was followed and 28 participants volunteered to participate. In-depth phenomenological focus group interviews were conducted. Data analysis revealed two themes: social pressure on teenage Xhosa boys associated with the ritual, and depression associated with the treatment of teenage Xhosa boys by their communities. The study recommends that all stakeholders be involved in the performance of the ritual. A limitation of the study was failure to include stakeholders. The researcher recommends further research to involve all stakeholders of the ritual. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)