Health, Medicine, Nursing Essay: Traditional Male Circumcision: A Personal Reflection

Running head: TRADITIONAL MALE CIRCUMCISION1
Traditional Male Circumcision: A Personal Reflection
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TRADITIONAL MALE CIRCUMCISION

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Traditional Male Circumcision: A Personal Reflection
In "Traditional male circumcision in eastern and southern Africa: a systematic review of prevalence and complications," Wilcken, Keil, and Dick (2010) perform a literature survey of male circumcision in the east and south Africa in order to identify patterns of a cultural practice of far-reaching medical, cultural and economic implications. The study confirms an underlying assumption of male circumcision prevalence in studied regions yer varies considerably on findings on age, national/district, and Traditional/Clinical variables. For instance, studies conducted in Namibia are generalizable nationally, whereas studies in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa are accurate only at the district level and cannot be generalizable nationally. Moreover, in most studies, culture plays a predominant role in defining circumcision practice for boys aged 13-21. Specifically, whilst more medical (and professional) interventions are increasing, shame and stigmatization make shifting to clinical setting circumcision away from traditional circumcision culturally unfeasible. The study also confirms an assumption on Traditional vs. Clinical circumcision, namely, clinical circumcision is safer and involves much fewer complications unless performed by untrained medical personnel.
The culture vs. science is clearly at play in Wilcken, Keil, and Dick. In the current study, solid evidence is accumulating across countries and age brackets and practices to confirm the efficacy and safety of circumcision in clinical settings. Nonetheless, initiates; usually, boys aged 13-21, face constant stigmatization and peer pressure to conform. That is, apparently having a choice between more effective clinical intervention and generations-old tradition, initiates, avoiding shaming, opt for traditional circumcision – at considerable medical and physical risks. There is; accordingly, an invisible line initiates cannot cross, notwithsta...