More than 2,000 locals mostly young men have been circumcised voluntarily since the exercise started in July 2021

By Deng Ghai Deng

Health officials in Bor town say the free medical male circumcision is gaining momentum as young people are now embracing the cut and testifying to its benefits to their oblivious colleagues.

1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	9th
180	223	227	234	210	209	226	244	257

Amid the negative cultural perceptions attached to the cut, which persisted over years, the Jonglei State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with partners, launched the first-ever free circumcision in July 2021 to sensitise locals to take up circumcision.

The move was triggered by reports that most of the people living with HIV/AIDs in Jonglei State were uncircumcised.

The rollout triggered mixed reactions from various quarters, as some people condemned it, while others viewed it as a welcome remedy.

The Executive Director for the Community Support Initiative (CSI), Achiek David Arou, who plays a part in the implementation of the initiative, revealed that the exercise had to overcome lots of resistance when it began last year.

“Although the culture denies it; we are being dictated to by the health risk of not being circumcised,” he said.

“Our circumcision is not a cultural-based exercise, but it is a health-driven need that targets only the sexual reproductive age. So, people get information one by one throughout our demand creation activities,” Mr Arou explained.

After raising awareness, the health partner said their facility now receives more people who are demanding voluntary male circumcision and HIV/AIDS services as well.

“We are also embarking on other activities, for example, contact tracing and case finding indexes for HIV/AIDs,” he said.

More than 2,000 locals mostly young men have been circumcised since the exercise started in July 2021.

These include the community living around the barracks, SSPDF cadres, and the two direct beneficiaries of the initiative.

However, before the clients are circumcised, voluntary HIV testing is also undertaken for the recipients to know their status.

About 10 people, estimated at one per cent of the clients, tested positive for HIV throughout the exercise.

Motivational factors

Arou Elijah Kur, one of the beneficiaries who applauded the rollout, revealed he took it up after being convinced by its health benefits.

“Firstly, I got motivated because I had already been aware of its importance, especially when I was at school. So, I opted for general cleanliness and the fact that it prevents the transmission of STIs, “he narrated.

Mr Kur confessed that circumcision had helped him to realise that he could nowadays last longer in bed as opposed to the previous times when he used to ejaculate within a few moments.

“I remember those days; I could just ‘release’ within a few minutes. But I now last longer than that, and that is one of the achievements of this service, “he added.

According to Kur, the 60 per cent chance of evading contracting venereal diseases when circumcised was another motivating factor to embrace the cut.

Beating the odds  

When asked whether he was not worried about repercussions, he said it was high time to forgo bad cultural practices. 

Most uncircumcised people have been unable to go for the procedure due to peer pressure and old cultural beliefs.

Kur encouraged the uncircumcised male to reject circumcision stereotypes and embrace the cut.

“I went out of my girlfriend’s notice, but after I underwent it, she is now benefiting from it,” he happily recounts.

“We are in a modern society whereby things are hidden, but let’s be at least friendly to ourselves and our health. We shouldn’t be hearing what people are saying about it,” he added.

Upsetting the odds

In recent months, a song in Dinka dubbed “Aguala Ku Le Bor Ka Thou” which literally translates to “If a circumcised one happens to go to Bor, then he can die” went viral to many ears.

But Mr Kur said: “These were lies. Why am I still alive? He was questioned. “I am in Bor now, I actually got circumcised in Bor, and I have not died. Instead, I am alive and healthy. We should style up and abandon these rigid cultures, “he concluded.

A 24-year-old client who did not want his name to be disclosed said he shunned criticism given the modern exposure.

“Whenever you didn’t taste the food cooked by another woman; you will just think that your mother is the best cook,” he said.

“But there are other unique dishes besides that of your mother, so being circumcised is much better than the life we used to live,” he said.

When asked whether he still practises safe sex or not; he confessed that he still goes for safe sex, though the girlfriend gives him a hard time on a constant basis.

“In this part of the world, whenever you tell your girlfriend that you want to use a condom, she will feel bad and shy. She always thinks that condoms are for prostitutes, “the source stated.

According to him, he normally convinces the fiancée to accept safe sex even if she does not like condoms.

Relevancy

Daniel Wut Achom, Data Clerk, HIV/AIDs department at Bor State Hospital, believes the exercise will help the youngsters avoid contracting the disease if it continues.

“The people being circumcised are young people, but based on the prevalence among young people, it can help a lot in reduction of HIV infections. It is one of the strategies being used,” he said.

The official added the exercise would be better supported if the state established a centre within the main hospital.

About the Authors:

Deng Ghai Deng, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, a Data Analyst and Trainer. It is part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a three months data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualisation for three months (October to December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information