[Experiences with ritual circumcision in Norway]

Abstract

Background: We wanted to provide a survey of the extent and practice of locally performed ritual circumcision of boys born to Muslim parents in Norway.

Material and methods: Newborn boys with Muslim parents in two counties in Norway (Rogaland and Troms) were registered. 56 ritual circumcisions were performed in outpatient departments in the local hospitals during the period under investigation, 11 on newborns, 33 on boys between one and ten, and 12 on boys above ten.

Results: The number of circumcised boys in 1999 was 24% of the total number of boys born to Muslim parents that year; in 2000, 48%. Circumcision of boys between one and ten is ten times more time-consuming than circumcision of newborns or boys above ten.

Interpretation: An estimated 672 boys are born to Muslim parents in Norway each year. Less than 50% of newborns with Muslim parents are circumcised in local outpatient departments. We recommend that ritual circumcision is restricted to newborns or to boys above ten, and that informed written consent is obtained from boys above ten.