Questionnaire Study about Circumcision Performed in Young Men in Daejeon City and Chung-nam Area

Ku, Ja Hyeon; Jeon, Youn Soo; Kim, Min Eui; Lee, Nam Kyu; Park, Young Ho

Abstract

PURPOSE
We surveyed a population of 20-year-old Korean men and gathered epidemiologic data regarding circumcision.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between May and December 2001, 2,700 men aged 20 years dwelling in the community were randomly selected at a 10.0% sampling fraction after a sampling process by census district. A total of 1,674 (a response rate 62.0%) men completed the self-administered questionnaire which consisted of demographic information, circumcision status, age at the time of circumcision, reasons that influenced the circumcision decision, and perspectives about circumcision.
RESULTS
The incidence of circumcision was 78.0% and the peak period for circumcision was during their late elementary and middle-school years. When asked why they felt that they had been circumcised, most (89.1%) mentioned hygienic benefits. However, about more than half mentioned that they did not know whether circumcision had other medical benefits. Most men were circumcised on the recommendation of their parents or by their own will.
CONCLUSIONS
Most Korean men are circumcised at puberty. There were no predominant medical reasons for circumcision in these men except hygienic benefits. Contrary to previous reports, the physician's role does not seem to be a leading contributory factor toward the unusual status of circumcision in South Korea.