Objective: To understand attitudes and decision making regarding neonatal male circumcision.
Methods: Parents (n = 150) with a son 3 years old were interviewed regarding demographics, communication with a medical provider, attitudes, and process by which the neonatal circumcision decision was made.
Results: Thirty-three percent of sons were circumcised. In univariate analyses, choosing male circumcision was associated with parents being interviewed in English, the father being circumcised, positive attitudes, being informed of the advantages of circumcision, making a decision before birth, and being offered a choice. In the final model, parents who came from a culture and family that believed in circumcision and who believed that it was not too risky were more likely to circumcise their sons.
Conclusions: Decisions regarding circumcision appear to be influenced by values, risk perceptions, and medical providers. Future research should address ways of ensuring that families have the opportunity to make an informed decision.