Wynn A., Bristow C.C., Ross D., Schenker I., Klausner J.D.
A program evaluation report of a rapid scale-up of a high-volume medical male circumcision site, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 2010-2013 Health systems and services in low and middle income settings
Department of Health Policy and Management, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States; St Mary's Hospital, Mariannhill KZN, Johannesburg, South Africa; Operation Abraham Collaborative, Jerusalem, Israel; Department of Epidemiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 9911 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Wynn, A., Department of Health Policy and Management, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Bristow, C.C., Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Ross, D., St Mary's Hospital, Mariannhill KZN, Johannesburg, South Africa; Schenker, I., Operation Abraham Collaborative, Jerusalem, Israel; Klausner, J.D., Department of Epidemiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 9911 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Background: Male circumcision can provide life-long reduction in the risk of acquiring HIV infection. In South Africa, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Health committed to rolling out circumcision programs to address the HIV epidemic. The Department of Health enlisted the help of St. Mary's Hospital in Mariannhill and the Operation Abraham Collaborative. Methods: St. Mary's Hospital and the Operation Abraham Collaborative partnered to establish a voluntary medical male circumcision facility, called Asiphile, and to train surgeons, nurses and health clinic staff to serve KwaZulu-Natal. Results: Over the course of the implementation period, 9,980 circumcisions were conducted at the Asiphile facility. The uptake numbers increased throughout 2010 and 2011 and began to level off as the demand of early adopters may have been met. Uptake spiked during school vacations and staff training sessions. Additionally, 92 % of clients returned for post-operation follow-up and only 2 % of clients experienced any adverse event. Conclusion: St. Mary's Hospital and the Operation Abraham Collaborative were able to cooperate and successfully implement a voluntary medical male circumcision facility in KwaZulu-Natal. Although uptake was lower than projected, lessons learned from efforts to overcome challenges in recruitment, transportation, and coordination can help inform and improve new and existing population-based male circumcision programs. © 2015 Wynn et al.