The Ghana Statistical Service’s 2022 Demographic Health Survey has revealed that approximately 5 percent of Ghanaian men are not circumcised. This equates to about 835,000 individuals in Ghana.
The survey, which delves into various aspects including the prevalence of HIV/AIDS-related behaviors, STDs, health insurance, and health coverage, also indicates that 95% of Ghanaian men aged 15-49 have undergone circumcision, with much of this attributed to religious, traditional, and cultural reasons.
The Acting Director of Demography at the Ghana Statistical Service, Godwin Odei Gyebi said this comprehensive array of indicators will furnish valuable insights into the health and well-being of the populace.
These insights will aid in assessing progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets.
Circumcision is a procedure that removes the foreskin from the human penis. In the most common form of the operation, the foreskin is extended with forceps, then a circumcision device may be placed, after which the foreskin is excised.
Circumcision is generally electively performed, most commonly done as a form of preventive healthcare, as a religious obligation, or as a cultural practice. It is also an option for cases of phimosis, other pathologies that do not resolve with other treatments, and chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs).
The procedure is associated with reduced rates of sexually transmitted infections and urinary tract infections. This includes reducing the incidence of cancer-causing forms of human papillomavirus (HPV) and significantly reducing HIV transmission among heterosexual men in high-risk populations.
