Psychological Impact of Non-therapeutic Circumcision on School Boys

Abstract

Objectives: Numerous studies have confirmed high stress levels associated with undergoing an operation in children. In this study we aimed to evaluate perceived stress levels of non-therapeutic circumcision in school boys. Materials and Methods: One thousand hundred patients aged between 9 and 12 years have been invited to the study. The participants are divided into two groups as circumcised and non-circumcised. Socio-economical level and place of residence are also evaluated. Self administered Turkish Validation of Perceived Stress Scale for Children (PSS-C) was used to assess the perceived stress levels due to undergoing circumcision. Results: One hundred and twenty-eight patients filled in the questionnare completely. Results confirmed a significantly higher score of perceived stress in circumcised population (p<0.001). There was no correlation with place of residence or socio-economical leve but the younger the patient, the higher the sum score of PSS-C (p<0.05). Conclusion: Circumcision should be considered as a traumatic experience such as any surgical intervention for pediatric population. Despite religious and social beliefs, patients and parents should be informed about and be conscious of psychological effects of male circumcision.

Keywords

• Boys
• Circumcision
• Perceived Stress
• Psychological Trauma

Okul Çağında Erkek Çocuklarda Sünnetin Psikolojik Etkisi

Abstract

Amaç: Çocuklarda ameliyat olmanın ciddi strese yol açtığına dair çok sayıda çalışma bulunmaktadır. Biz bu çalışmada okul çağındaki erkek çocuklarda sünnetin yarattığı algılanan stres düzeyini değerlendirmeyi amaçladık. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya 9 ve 12 yaş arası toplam 1500 hasta çağrıldı. Katılımcılar sünnet olan ve olmayan olarak iki gruba bölündü. Sosyoekonomik düzey ve ikamet yeri de ayrıca değerlendirildi. Çocuklarda Algılanan Stres Düzeyi Ölçeği’nin (PSS-C) Türkçe validasyonu kullanılıp, kendilerinin doldurması şartıyla sünnet olmaya bağlı stres düzeyleri değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Sünnet, çocukluk çağındaki her ameliyat için olduğu gibi travmatik bir tecrübe olarak görülmelidir. Dinsel ve kültürel değerlere rağmen, hastalar ve ebeveynleri sünnetin psikolojik etkilerinin farkında olmalı ve konu hakkında bilgilendirilmelidir. Sonuç: Bin yüz yirmi sekiz hasta anketi tamamen doldurdu. Algılanan stres düzeyi sünnetli çocuklarda anlamlı düzeyde yüksek bulundu (p<0,001). İkamet yeri veya sosyo-ekonomik düzey ile bir ilişki bulunmadı ama çocuklarda yaş azaldıkça PSS-C skorunun arttığı görüldü (p<0,05).

Keywords

• Erkek Çocuklar
• Sünnet
• Algılanan Stres
• Psikolojik Travma

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