Parental awareness and practices regarding male circumcision timing, setting, and providers: a multicenter cross-sectional survey from Turkey (n = 637)

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate Turkish parents' perceptions and attitudes regarding the appropriate age for circumcision, practice conditions, and procedural indications across different regions of Turkey. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey study was conducted between March 2023 and March 2025 across urology and pediatric surgery departments in seven distinct regions of Turkey. A total of 637 literate parents (aged ≥ 18) completed a voluntary 16-question online survey via a URL or QR code. Subgroup analysis was performed for parents whose sons had already undergone circumcision (n = 404). Data regarding demographics, circumcision preferences, and information sources were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: The majority of parents (95.1%) considered circumcision necessary, primarily citing religious (77.7%) and medical (63.8%) reasons. Overall, 76% of participants stated that circumcision should ideally occur outside the psychologically sensitive period (PSP; ages 2-6). Among the 404 parents with already-circumcised sons, 41.1% (n = 166) reported that the procedure was performed during the PSP (ages 2-6). Awareness of the non-PSP increased significantly with higher parental education levels (p < 0.001). Regarding practice, specialists were preferred (pediatric surgeons 54.4%; pediatric urologists 46.3%), and the operating room was identified as the safest setting by 91.7% of respondents. Local anesthesia was the most preferred method (51.6%). CONCLUSION: Despite high awareness regarding specialist qualifications and clinical settings, a significant "knowledge-practice gap" exists concerning the timing of circumcision. Clinicians should proactively counsel parents regarding the psychological risks associated with the PSP, and public health strategies must move beyond general awareness to provide targeted guidance that ensures optimal timing in circumcision.