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Sep 14, 2007Article Details
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Main Article Content
Traditional male circumcision in the Eastern Cape – scourge or blessing?
Abstract
Background. Traditional male circumcision is still widely
practised in the Xhosa population throughout South Africa. It
is a rite of passage from boyhood to manhood. Unfortunately,
botched circumcisions are a public health hazard and lead to
tragic mutilations and deaths.
Objective and methods. The present study was undertaken
to assess the extent of circumcision-related complications
and fatalities in the Eastern Cape. Health care data were
provided by the Eastern Cape Department of Health. Hospital
admissions, amputations and deaths per circumcision season
were recorded as well as causes of death and the number of
legal and illegal initiation schools, respectively. The aim was to
establish if the Application of Health Standards in Traditional
Circumcision Act of 2001 has been successful in reducing the
health risks of the ritual.
Results. The findings show that the incidence of circumcisionrelated
complications and fatalities has remained virtually
unchanged in the observation period 2001 - 2006. Unqualified
surgeons, negligent nurses, irresponsible parents and youths
medically unfit for the hardships of initiation continue to
contribute to tragic outcomes. One of the main problems is
the perception that government interference in the ritual is
undesirable, and the fact that a stigma is attached to noncompletion
of the procedure.
Conclusion. Progress is only possible if all the relevant
stakeholders – traditional surgeons, traditional nurses,
traditional leaders, traditional healers, representatives of the
Department of Health, medical officers, police, parents, initiates
and the communities concerned – can be made aware of the
problem and rendered willing to work together in preserving
a cultural tradition in the spirit of the Constitution, that is,
without violating fundamental human rights.
South African Medical Journal Vol. 97 (5) 2007: pp. 371-373
