Determining the Knowledge Level of Parents Relating to Circumcision

Abstract

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the knowledge level and opinions of parents regarding circumcision. Materials and Methods: This descriptive style study was conducted with 258 individuals who were the parents of male patients being treated in the pediatric surgery department of a university hospital. The data of the study were collected through a questionnaire which was designed in line with the literature and given through a face-to-face interviewing method. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics with the SPSS 21.0 package program for Windows. Results: A total of 84.9% of the parents were the mothers of the children. A total of 70.2% of the parents stated that they had had their child circumcised by a physician in a hospital setting. Regarding the purpose of circumcision, a total of 27.5% of the parents stated medical and emergency requirements while 25.6% of them stated cultural factors. A total of 23.3% of the parents stated that their children did not want to be circumcised while 57.4% stated that they had made decision to circumcise together with their spouse. A total of 54.3% of the parents mentioned that their children experienced pain after circumcision. It was determined that the parents had a moderate level of knowledge regarding the benefits of circumcision, however, most of them had no idea about the practices of circumcision. Conclusion: Parents emphasized the cultural and medical factors as being the most important factors in the decision to circumcise their child. Parents have a lack of knowledge of circumcision practice, its benefits, and post-circumcision care. Training with the aim of increasing the knowledge of parents regarding circumcision should be planned. Qualitative and quantitative studies on the subject are recommended to be conducted in different regions and with large populations.