Scaling up male circumcision service provision: results from a randomised evaluation in Malawi

This study by Rebecca Thornton, Susan Godlonton, Jobiba Chinkhumba and Rachael Pierotti presents results from a randomised evaluation of how price and information affect the take-up of voluntary medical male circumcision in Lilongwe, Malawi. Overall, take-up was low, and price and information were still barriers. However, the main barriers to male circumcision – cultural norms and fear of pain – were not affected by prices or information.

Qualitative research about male decision-making showed that social networks play an important role in deciding to have a circumcision, and that men take time to gather information before making their decision. Significant demand-generation efforts are needed for this HIV prevention strategy to be effective.