| Description |
Male infant circumcision (MIC) is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the U.S. and the world. Each year in the U.S. half - over two million - of all new parents will decide whether or not to circumcise their male infant. The annual cost for MIC, in the U.S. alone, approaches half a billion dollars. In the U.S. approximately 75% of male infants are circumcised. Although approximately 15% of male infants are circumcised for religious purposes, the majority of parents in the U.S. elect this procedure for health purposes or to "look like dad". However, parents may not understand the true risks and benefits of the procedure. Major health organizations agree that educating parents about the risks and benefits of MIC is vital to allow parents to make an informed, unbiased decision. However, approximately 80% of parents make the circumcision decision prior to discussing the matter with their health care provider, indicating the need of public education regarding the evidenced based risks and benefits of MIC. The literature regarding the risks and benefits of MIC is conflicting. In 2012 the American Academy of Pediatrics' task force on circumcision, for the first time, stated that the benefits of the procedure out weigh the risks. However, many medical bodies, from across the world, came together and accused the AAP of being biased citing that many countries have much lower MIC rates, without increases in supposed problems identified by the AAP. Although other professional bodies have varying stances regarding whether or not there is sufficient evidence for MIC, no professional organization recommends routine MIC. MIC is a surgical procedure that involves prematurely separating the glans penis from the foreskin, which is normally adhered until males are at least 3 years of age, and then cutting approximately three quarters of the foreskin from the penis. Although considered a minor surgical procedure both minor and major complications are inherent. The risks of surgery need to be compared with the evidenced based risks and benefits of urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, penile cancer, and other potential risks and benefits. The purpose of this project is to educate the public, specifically potential parents, as well as their informants, such as family and friends, about the risks and benefits of MIC so an informed decision can be made. To accomplish this task an analysis and synthesis of the literature was conducted, the evidence based risks and benefits of MIC identified, and respective levels of evidence (LOE) assigned based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine Levels of Evidence, which were then verified by two content experts. The findings were then organized into a parental education form and then a manuscript was drafted, both of which were also reviewed by two content experts. The manuscript was sent to the magazines, REDBOOK Magazine, and Parents Magazine for publication. Additionally, Baby Your Baby, a division of Utah Health and Human Services, was contacted to determine the possibility of sharing the findings with potential parents. In addition, two opportunities have arisen to share the findings of this project: 1) An editor, used by the University of Utah College of Nursing, has offered to act as "ghost writer" with the objective of submitting an amended manuscript to magazines that specifically target men, such as Men's Health; 2) A Brigham Young University facility member, in the College of Nursing, has requested to incorporate the findings of this project into the curriculum of an ethics class taught to Bachelor of Science Nursing students. |
