Abstract
Male circumcision is a surgical procedure that involves removing the foreskin from the penis, performed for religious, cultural, or medical reasons. For parents, the primary sources of anxiety and fear related to the procedure are the potential for bleeding and the risk of post-operative infection. To help manage the pain experienced during the operation, non-pharmacological methods such as kaleidoscope viewing and music therapy can be used.
The surgical procedure carries a primary risk of bleeding (hemorrhage). Furthermore, the text makes two separate claims: first, that the procedure affects the limbic system in a child’s brain, thereby impairing their ability to manage strong emotions by reducing neural signals; and second, that removing the foreskin benefits society by lowering the risk of spreading or getting urinary tract infections (UTIs), as the foreskin provides a host environment for the causative bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli.
Introduction
Male circumcision is a common practice with a long history in the human race. According to Yildiz et al. (2021), “About one-third of males worldwide are circumcised.” Some of the oldest documentaries suggest that the procedure originated in ancient Egypt. The males are subjected to the procedure for religious, cultural, and medical reasons. In Turkey, according to Yildiz et al. (2021), nearly all men are circumcised due to religious reasons.
According to Wehbe-Alamah, Hammonds, and Stanley (2020), “male circumcision is a religious requirement for Muslims as it helps with maintenance of hygiene and reduction in the incidence of certain health issues.” Most traditions globally use circumcision as a rite of passage for boys to join adulthood. The age for circumcision varies in every religion and tradition; for example, Jewish Muslims require that the child be circumcised on the seventh day after birth. But unlike Jews, their timeline for circumcision may vary, as circumcision can also be conducted ten years after birth (Alamah, Hammonds & Stanley, 2020). Therefore, this paper will determine the issues surrounding male circumcision in children and its potential benefits.
Circumcision in Children
In Jewish and Islamic states, circumcisions for children are always offered as a pediatric surgical procedure. The main cause of concern to parents, which leads to fear and anxiety in parents, is bleeding. Bleeding is the most noted complication associated with this surgical procedure. The pressure dressing is the common method used to control mild bleeding, while severe bleeding is often controlled through urgent reoperation.
According to Mammadov and Mammadov (2022), 71.9% of mothers thought that bleeding was the common side effect of circumcision. Similarly, 63% who were involved in the study were worried about bleeding after the surgical procedure. Another cause of anxiety for parents was the use of anesthesia in the procedure. Several studies in Turkey indicated that 72.5% of parents fear and are concerned about anesthesia-related complications (Mammadov & Mammadov, 2022).
Post-circumcision infection is also a major issue of concern to parents, leading to anxiety. Parents are often left with the challenge of deciding whether to circumcise or not to circumcise their children. A lack of accurate information about circumcision often hampers the decision-making process. For example, 40-67% of parents report that they allow their male infants to be circumcised because of medical reasons. This study, however, reports that the medical reasons that inform parents’ decisions to circumcise their male children are not evidence-based and are less important in their decision-making process (Morgan et al., 2021).
According to Morgan et al., parents in the United States have limited knowledge about the benefits of circumcision, and many of their perceived reasons are just sociocultural reasons. Due to the lack of enough information to help parents make an informed decision, they often seek information from online web pages. The quality of information obtained from online sources is often unsuitable for decision-making due to its lack of accuracy and supporting evidence.
Non-Pharmacological Pain Management
Hand massage is considered an integrative therapy that improves patient outcomes. This procedure improves the patient and caregiver interactions, reducing anxiety and providing comfort (Bulut et al., 2020). Music therapy is another essential non-pharmacological pain control process that helps children cope with pain and stress. Kaleidoscope and music therapy impact the child’s limbic system of the brain by reducing the neural pathways that regulate disturbing emotions in children (Bulut et al., 2020). In addition, these therapies release enkephalin and endorphins, which regulate the body’s natural pain relief and mental well-being.
Benefits
Researchers have investigated the potential medical benefits of circumcision in males. According to a study conducted in Iraq to investigate the potential bacteria in the foreskin, microbial cultures can act as a potential habitat for dangerous bacteria (Mustafa et al., 2022). The study found that Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli were prevalent in the foreskin. These bacteria are hazardous and can potentially cause urinary tract infections and sepsis, among other infections (Mustafa et al., 2022). Removing the foreskin benefits society by reducing the chances for people to spread or come into contact with urinary tract infections.
Conclusion
Male circumcision is a procedure that has been practiced globally for centuries. It involves the removal of the foreskin from the penis of a human. It is supposed that the procedure was first practiced in ancient Egypt. Most traditions use circumcision as a rite to induct boys into adulthood.
Bleeding is the most common complication associated with it. Other causes of concern to parents include the use of anesthesia and post-surgical infection. Music and a kaleidoscope are non-medical pain management techniques that help patients recover by regulating neural pathways. Circumcision is important as the foreskin hosts different bacteria, which can cause ill health.
References
Bulut, M., Küçük Alemdar, D., Bulut, A., & Şalcı, G. (2020). The effect of music therapy, hand massage, and kaleidoscope. Usage on postoperative nausea and vomiting, pain, fear, and stress in children: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Peri-Anesthesia Nursing, 35(6), 649–657. Web.
Mammadov, B., & Mammadov, E. (2022). Is circumcision a simple operation? A study about parents’ anxiety and fears. Africa Journal of Nursing & Midwifery, 24(1), 1–10. Web.
Morgan, A. M., Hu, Y.-Y., Benin, A., & Lockwood, G. M. (2021). Decision-making regarding newborn circumcision: a qualitative analysis. Maternal & Child Health Journal, 25(12), 1972–1980. Web.
Mustafa, H. A., Kamal Asaad, M. M., Obayes, A. K., & Mustafa, M. A. (2022). Isolation and Identification of Some Types of Pathogenic Bacteria from the Prepuce (Foreskin) of Circumcised Children in Samarra City/Iraq. HIV Nursing, 22(2), 2776–2780. Web.
Wehbe-Alamah, H., Hammonds, L. S., & Stanley, D. (2021). Culturally congruent care from the perspectives of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 32(2), 119–128. Web.
Yildiz, Dilek, D., Fidanci,B.E., Padishah,W., & Surer,I. (2021). Circumcision: is it for sexual health or being man? International Journal of Caring Sciences 14 (3): 1771–76. Web.