Objective: We sought to understand knowledge and attitudes regarding male circumcision for HIV-1 prevention among HIV-1 serodiscordant couples.
Methods: Between May and August 2008, members of heterosexual HIV-1 serodiscordant couples attending a research clinic in Kampala, Uganda were interviewed separately using a standard questionnaire.
Results: 318 couples were enrolled, 51.3 % were couples in which the male partner was HIV-1 infected and 48.7 % in which the female partner was HIV-1 infected. Overall, 77.1% of men and 89.6% of women were aware that male circumcision reduces men’s risk for HIV-1 acquisition. In couples with uncircumcised HIV-1 negative men, 48.9% of men and 88.1% of female HIV-1 seropositive partners expressed interest in male circumcision.
Conclusions: Heterosexual serodiscordant couples in Kampala were highly knowledgeable about the benefits and limitations of male circumcision for HIV-1 prevention. Nearly 50% of HIV-1 seronegative men expressed interest in being circucmcised, a feeling echoed by a majority of their HIV-1 seropositive female partners.