Research Article

Mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding circumcision and the influence of parental demographics: a retrospective study

Volume: 8 Number: 6 October 25, 2025
TR EN

Mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding circumcision and the influence of parental demographics: a retrospective study

Abstract

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.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Bu çalışma herhangi bir kurum veya kuruluş tarafından desteklenmemiştir.

Ethical Statement

Ethics Committee Approval: This study was approved by the Istanbul Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital Ethics Committee (Date: 11.02.2014, Decision No: 161). Informed Consent: Written informed consent was obtained from all participating mothers. Referee Evaluation Process: Externally peer-reviewed. Conflict of Interest Statement: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. Financial Disclosure: The authors declared that this study has received no financial support. Author Contributions: All authors contributed equally to the design, data collection, analysis, and writing of the manuscript. Acknowledgement: Not applicable.

References

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  3. 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. Elsevier; 2023. Chapter 559.
  4. Karaman Mİ. Her yönüyle sünnet. Pediatrik Üroloji Bülteni. 2018;1(1):1-4.
  5. Dekkers W. Routine (non-religious) neonatal circumcision and bodily integrity: a transatlantic dialogue. Kennedy Inst Ethics J. 2009;19(2):125-146. doi:10.1353/ken.0.0279
  6. Schoen EJ, Colby CJ, Ray GT. Newborn circumcision decreases incidence and costs of urinary tract infections during the first year of life. Pediatrics. 2000;105(4 Pt 1):789-793. doi:10.1542/peds.105.4.789
  7. Omole F, Smith W, Carter-Wicker K. Newborn circumcision techniques. Am Fam Physician. 2020;101(11):680-685.
  8. Yazıcı M, Etensel B, Gürsoy H. Sünnet komplikasyonları. Adnan Menderes Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi. 2003;4(3):5-7.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Paediatrics (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 25, 2025

Submission Date

July 5, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 25, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 8 Number: 6

APA
Erden, D., & Arıca, V. (2025). Mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding circumcision and the influence of parental demographics: a retrospective study. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, 8(6), 1034-1040. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1734992
AMA
1.Erden D, Arıca V. Mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding circumcision and the influence of parental demographics: a retrospective study. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2025;8(6):1034-1040. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1734992
Chicago
Erden, Damla, and Vefik Arıca. 2025. “Mothers’ Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Circumcision and the Influence of Parental Demographics: A Retrospective Study”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 8 (6): 1034-40. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1734992.
EndNote
Erden D, Arıca V (October 1, 2025) Mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding circumcision and the influence of parental demographics: a retrospective study. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 8 6 1034–1040.
IEEE
[1]D. Erden and V. Arıca, “Mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding circumcision and the influence of parental demographics: a retrospective study”, J Health Sci Med / JHSM, vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 1034–1040, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.32322/jhsm.1734992.
ISNAD
Erden, Damla - Arıca, Vefik. “Mothers’ Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Circumcision and the Influence of Parental Demographics: A Retrospective Study”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 8/6 (October 1, 2025): 1034-1040. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1734992.
JAMA
1.Erden D, Arıca V. Mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding circumcision and the influence of parental demographics: a retrospective study. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2025;8:1034–1040.
MLA
Erden, Damla, and Vefik Arıca. “Mothers’ Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Circumcision and the Influence of Parental Demographics: A Retrospective Study”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, vol. 8, no. 6, Oct. 2025, pp. 1034-40, doi:10.32322/jhsm.1734992.
Vancouver
1.Damla Erden, Vefik Arıca. Mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding circumcision and the influence of parental demographics: a retrospective study. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2025 Oct. 1;8(6):1034-40. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1734992

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