International Journal of Public Health
Volume 59, Issue 2, 2014, Pages 351-358

Non-therapeutic male circumcision performed on immigrant children from Africa in Spain (Article)

Macipe-Costa R.M.* , García-Sanchez N. , Gimeno-Feliu L.A. , Navarra-Vicente B. , Jiménez-Hereza J.M. , Moneo-Hernández I. , Castillo-Laita J.A. , Lobera-Navaz P.
  • a Fuentes de Ebro Health Centre (Centro de Salud Fuentes de Ebro), Aragon Health Service (Servicio Aragonés de la Salud), Paseo de la Justicia, 69 Fuentes de Ebro, Saragossa, Spain
  • b Delicias sur Health Centre (Centro de Salud Delicias Sur), Aragon Health Service (Servicio Aragonés de la Salud), Saragossa, Spain
  • c San Pablo Health Centre (Centro de Salud San Pablo), Aragon Health Service (Servicio Aragonés de la Salud), Saragossa, Spain
  • d Nuestra Señora Del Pilar Hospital, Saragossa, Spain
  • e Pirineos Health Centre (Centro de Salud Pirineos), Aragon Health Service (Servicio Aragonés de la Salud), Saragossa, Spain
  • f Fuentes Norte Health Centre (Centro de Salud Fuentes Norte), Aragon Health Service (Servicio Aragonés de la Salud), Saragossa, Spain
  • g Fuentes de Ebro Health Centre (Centro de Salud Fuentes de Ebro), Aragon Health Service (Servicio Aragonés de la Salud), Paseo de la Justicia, 69 Fuentes de Ebro, Saragossa, Spain
  • h Bombarda Health Centre (Centro de Salud Bombarda), Aragon Health Service (Servicio Aragonés de la Salud), Saragossa, Spain

Abstract

Objectives: To study the frequency, characteristics, and complications of non-therapeutic male circumcision on immigrant children from Africa in Spain. Methods: This descriptive study focused on primary care consultations conducted at 21 Aragon health centres during 2010 and 2011. The data were gathered through interviewer-administered questionnaires to the parents of African children. Sociodemographic variables were studied, along with others related to the practice of circumcision. Results: 283 questionnaires were obtained. 98.93 % of the children had undergone or were planning to undergo circumcision. 68.2 % were circumcised. Circumcisions were most frequently performed during a vacation to the country of origin (67.04 %), especially so for the Maghreb population. The remaining circumcisions had been performed in Spain. Half of the circumcisions practiced in Spain were performed at home, and 84 % of these were performed on Gambian children. Conclusions: The current study demonstrates that, in Aragon, Spain, almost all immigrant children from Africa have been or will be circumcised and that a considerable proportion has been circumcised at home by unqualified individuals. Gambians are particularly at risk of performing unsafe circumcision. © 2013 Swiss School of Public Health.

Author Keywords

culture Circumcision male Child preschool Spain child Emigration and immigration Africa

Index Keywords

male Emigrants and Immigrants human preschool child utilization Infant Child, Preschool Spain circumcision Africa Circumcision, Male questionnaire ethnology Questionnaires Humans migrant Adolescent Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84899417420&doi=10.1007%2fs00038-013-0522-x&partnerID=40&md5=07f33029ef486f61c7a84ede7440e2ed
DOI: 10.1007/s00038-013-0522-x
ISSN: 16618556
Original Language: English