Debunking Male Circumcision Myths to Boost HIV Prevention in Rural Zimbabwe

Misinformation is suppressing male circumcision uptake in rural Zimbabwe (image source)

Misinformation and cultural rumors about voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) continue to suppress uptake in rural districts such as Gokwe South, undermining Zimbabwe’s fight against HIV. Despite extensive clinical evidence showing VMMC lowers female-to-male HIV transmission risk by about 60%, myths surrounding ritual use of foreskins, sexual dysfunction, and false immunity from condoms persist across Midlands Province and beyond.

Traditional leaders note that men in some villages suspect removed foreskins are sold or used in witchcraft, fueling distrust toward health services. At a recent National AIDS Council (NAC) dialogue in Katema Clinic, Village Head Alphonce Singadi raised community concerns: “We want to know how they dispose of those foreskins after circumcision.” Other fears include loss of virility, erectile strength, or sexual pleasure, as well as the misconception that circumcision provides complete protection, encouraging condom abandonment. These rumors drive stigma and deter men from accessing a vital HIV prevention measure, particularly in low health-literacy areas where anecdote outweighs science.

Contrary to fears that circumcised men might engage in riskier behavior, national data indicate no link between VMMC and increases in unprotected sex or multiple partners. A 2025 conference analysis of Zimbabwe’s VMMC rollout revealed no evidence of “risk compensation” among circumcised men, even as ART access widened. Similarly, the 2010–11 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey found no significant association between circumcision status and high-risk sexual behavior, reinforcing that VMMC messaging can emphasize HIV protection benefits without promoting complacency.

Zimbabwe’s VMMC strategy is evolving from a vertical donor-driven model toward integration within general health services. A 2025 study in PLOS Global Public Health highlighted how district “Task Teams” in five provinces successfully embedded VMMC into routine clinic operations, strengthening leadership, governance, and service delivery across WHO health system building blocks. This integration not only enhances local ownership but also positions VMMC as a sustainable pillar in HIV prevention.

However, funding constraints threaten progress. Midlands districts like Gweru and Shurugwi have faced VMMC stockouts and reduced outreach after 2025 cuts to PEPFAR and Gates Foundation support. The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) confirmed that uptake has already dropped compared to the 150,000 men and boys circumcised under the INTEGRATE program in 2024.

To counter these challenges, authorities are mobilizing local councils, churches, and community health workers for door-to-door sensitization and grassroots dialogues aimed at debunking myths. NAC Midlands Provincial Manager Mambewu Shumba stressed that community engagements remain pivotal in sustaining momentum toward Zimbabwe’s 2030 AIDS-free target.

Building trust through transparent communication, education, and service integration is critical to expanding VMMC uptake. As traditional leaders, health workers, and local structures unite to confront misinformation, Zimbabwe moves closer to leveraging the full preventive power of male circumcision in its HIV response.