Needs Assessment and Theory-Based Promotion of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) Among Male Sexually Transmitted Diseases Patients (MSTDP) in China

Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) is an evidence-based biomedical HIV prevention method. It is under-utilized in countries outside Africa, including China. The present single-arm, non-blinded test-of-concept trial was designed to promote VMMC among 179 male sexually transmitted diseases patients (MSTDP) in Shenzhen, China. It was based on behavioral health theories and results of a formative survey. At month 4, 45.5 % of the MSTDP responded positively to the intervention (19.9 % had taken up VMMC and 25.6 % intended to do so in the next 6 months). Adjusted analysis showed that cognitive variables measured at baseline (perceived self-efficacy, subjective norm and behavioral intention) significantly predicted adoption of VMMC during the 4-month follow-up period. Process evaluation involving clinicians of the STD clinics was positive. At month 6, 36.0 % of the circumcised participants used condom less frequently with their regular sex partner. We recommend scaling up the intervention, taking prevention of risk compensation into account.