Perceptions and decision making regarding circumcision amongst parents and medical personnel

Despite the fact that male circumcision being one of the most common procedures, there is a lack of awareness amongst parents and doctors. In this study, a questionnaire was applied to find answers covering topics, which include best timing of operation and type of anaesthesia, indications, expected complications, and contraindications, as well as effect on sexual performance. A total of 146 test subjects (48 parents, 48 local pediatricians, and 50 general practitioners (GP)) were requested to fill out a questionnaire concerning the mentioned topics. GP mostly preferred (46 %) circumcision under age of two when compared to parents (18.8 %) ( p = 0.001). However, 18.8 % of pediatricians and 30 % of GP preferred circumcision during phallic stage. Parents (47.9 % vs 16.7 %-10 %) believed that newborns did not require any type of anaesthesia ( p < 0.001). From a religious point of view, the act of circumcision is regarded mandatory according to 10.4 % of parents, 8.3 % pediatricians, and 4 % GP. Doctors regarded circumcision as compulsory (pediatricians 60 % - GP 68.8 %) in preventing venereal diseases compared to parents (37.5 %) ( p < 0.001). Need for circumcision in the presence of hydronephrosis was regarded unnecessary by parents (10.4 %) when compared to doctors ( p < 0.001). However, this point of view was interestingly shared by 35.4 % of the pediatricians and 40 % GP. According to 37.5 % of the parents, circumcision did not correlate with good reproductive ability ( p < 0.001). Results showed that enhanced medical education and awareness are required amongst medical personnel with regards to a widely known subject as circumcision. Public information is also needed to achieve a better state of knowledge.