Effect of parental education on decision-making about neonatal circumcision.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the impact of unbiased, published, easily accessible brochures on the parental decision about circumcision. METHODS: A total of 190 women who were delivered of healthy male infants at Memorial-Hermann Hospital and Woman's Hospital of Texas from December 1, 1999, to April 30, 2000, were asked to complete a brief demographic self-description and questionnaire regarding their attitudes and beliefs about circumcision. The most recent American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) brochure about circumcision was then distributed, and subjects completed the questionnaire a second time after reading the brochure. RESULTS: Eighty-five percent of participants opted for circumcision. No woman altered her decision on the basis of information in the AAP brochure. Regardless of parental desire for circumcision, responses to all questions before and after distribution of the AAP brochure were highly correlated. Circumcision status of the father and the parents' education and age were significantly associated with the decision to circumcise. There was no significant association between this decision and marital status, race, or religion. CONCLUSIONS: Parental education about the medical indications and possible risks of circumcision has no impact on the decision-making process about neonatal circumcision.