Background: The aim of this study was to determine the 
perceptions and acceptability of male circumcision among 
the young, as well as older men and women in South 
Africa. 
Methods: A total of eleven (11) focus group discussions 
were conducted in eight of the nine provinces of South 
Africa. Issues that were explored included (1) acceptability 
of male circumcision among different cultural groups, (2) 
perceptions about hospital versus traditional circumcision, 
(3) perceptions about safety of male circumcision, (4) 
perceptions about MC and protection against sexually 
transmitted infections including HIV, (5) misinformation 
about MC, (6) perceptions about MC and sexual pleasure, 
and (7) perceived barriers to male circumcision. 
Results: The study found that male circumcision was 
acceptable to both men and women in various cultures in 
South Africa. Although traditional male circumcision was 
the most preferred method, concerns were raised about the 
safety, and for this reason some preferred hospital over 
traditional circumcision. There were mixed attitudes 
regarding whether male circumcision is protective from 
HIV transmission.Some participants said that male 
circumcision increased sexual pleasure and decreased 
sexual inhibition. There is a need for sexual and 
reproductive health promotion interventions in the context 
of male circumcision. Conclusions: Male circumcision is acceptable to both men 
and women in various cultures in South Africa eventhough 
people have mixed perceptions regarding whether male 
circumcision is protective from HIV transmission.