TY - JOUR T1 - Mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding circumcision and the influence of parental demographics: a retrospective study TT - Annelerin sünnet hakkındaki bilgi ve tutumları ile ebeveyn demografisinin etkisi: retrospektif bir çalışma AU - Erden, Damla AU - Arıca, Vefik PY - 2025 DA - October Y2 - 2025 DO - 10.32322/jhsm.1734992 JF - Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine JO - J Health Sci Med /JHSM /jhsm PB - MediHealth Academy Yayıncılık WT - DergiPark SN - 2636-8579 SP - 1034 EP - 1040 VL - 8 IS - 6 LA - en AB - Aims: Circumcision is a surgical procedure performed on nearly all males in our society. This study aimed to evaluate mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding circumcision and to raise awareness of common misconceptions that may lead to adverse outcomes.Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted between February 17 and April 17, 2014, among mothers whose children had previously undergone circumcision and who presented to the pediatric outpatient clinic for any reason. A total of 540 mothers were included. A structured questionnaire assessing socioeconomic status, educational background, and knowledge about circumcision was administered.Results: The study included 540 mothers. The mean age at circumcision was 3.7±2.6 years. Circumcision was performed during the neonatal period in 13.8% (n=75), at 1-2 years in 24.9% (n=135), at 3-6 years in 44.3% (n=240), and after 6 years in 17% (n=92) of cases. Mothers with lower socioeconomic and educational levels had significantly less knowledge regarding circumcision.Conclusion: The majority of circumcisions were performed between the ages of 3 and 6, a developmentally vulnerable period. The findings suggest that families were generally unaware of the potential psychological effects and medical risks associated with circumcision at this age. Mothers with low income and education levels should be included in educational programs to improve awareness about the benefits and possible complications of circumcision. KW - Circumcision KW - level of knowledge KW - complications KW - maternal attitude N2 - Introduction and Aim:Circumcision is a surgical procedure performed on nearly all males in our society. This study aimed to evaluate mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding circumcision and to raise awareness of common misconceptions that may lead to adverse outcomes.Materials and Methods:This retrospective study was conducted between February 17 and April 17, 2014, among mothers whose children had previously undergone circumcision and who presented to the pediatric outpatient clinic for any reason. A total of 540 mothers were included. A structured questionnaire assessing socioeconomic status, educational background, and knowledge about circumcision was administered.Results:The study included 540 mothers. The mean age at circumcision was 3.7 ± 2.6 years. Circumcision was performed during the neonatal period in 13.8% (n=75), at 1–2 years in 24.9% (n=135), at 3–6 years in 44.3% (n=240), and after 6 years in 17% (n=92) of cases. Mothers with lower socioeconomic and educational levels had significantly less knowledge regarding circumcision.Conclusion:The majority of circumcisions were performed between the ages of 3 and 6, a developmentally sensitive period. The findings suggest that families were generally unaware of the potential psychological and medical risks associated with circumcision at this age. Mothers with low income and education levels should be included in educational programs to improve awareness about the benefits and possible complications of circumcision. CR - Levine LA, Holzbeierlein JM. Surgery of the Penis and Urethra. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Vol 1. Elsevier; 2021:992-1022. CR - Zeitler M, Rayala B. Neonatal circumcision. Prim Care. 2021;48(4):597-611. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2021.08.002 CR - Barthold JS. Anomalies of the penis and urethra. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. 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Bir hastaneye başvuran annelerin sünnet hakkındaki bilgi düzeyleri. Erciyes Med J. 2012;34(3):116-120. doi:10.5152/etd.2012.35 CR - Öztürk O, Samut Bülbül S, Durmuşoğlu K. Ebeveynlerin çocuklarda sünnet operasyonuna yönelik bilgi ve tutumlarının değerlendirilmesi. J Med Clin. 2024;7(1):11-19. UR - https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1734992 L1 - https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/5023656 ER -