73% of Malawian men circumcised by 2019

Male circumcision prevalence reached 90% among men and adolescent boys ages 15 to 24 in Malawi’s Chókwè District by 2019 but remained lower among older age groups, HealthDay News reports. Researchers analysed data from the Chókwè health and demographic surveillance system to assess progress toward the goal of 80% male circumcision prevalence by 2019 and published their findings in the 2 July issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. They found that the prevalence of male circumcision among men and boys ages 15 to 59 rose from 50% in 2014 to 73% in 2019. Male circumcision prevalence surpassed the national goal only among 15- to 24-year-olds and was lower than 80% for all other age groups: 63, 54, and 56 percent among men ages 25 to 34, 35 to 44, and 45 to 59, respectively (HealthDay News, 6 July 2021).