circumcision differences between states

[serendipity22]

Circumcision rates of infants vary enormously from state to state. For example, according to Medicare stats, rates for under 6 month olds, vary from less than 2% in Tasmania up to 20% in Queensland and around 40% in Brisbane. Overall the average in Australia is about 13%. Rates tend to be higher in rural areas.

Note that the percentage of circumcised living males in Australia is a very different figure at around 50% due to most men born in the 1970s and earlier being cicumcised at birth.

The Circumcision Information Australia website
http://www.circinfo.org/ suggest in their leaflet than a national enquiry should be held to account for this variation.

Why are there such big differences between states?
What does everything think?

[the_queen]

Where does Dr Russell practice?

[melfunction]

Where does Dr Russell practice?

Queensland.

[viperpt]

We got own son circumcised when he was born he's now 4 years old and has never had any problems with it. Back then it cost us $380 and we got $80 back from medicare I think it has gone up to $500+ because Its so rare.

[viperpt]

We got ours done in Brisbane. I just went to my doctor and ask for a referal

[Mister Noodle]

I think it's no surprise to anyone that rural places retain old customs, values and practices long after the rest of the world has moved on.

And Queensland is not exactly the frontrunner in cultural progress. Look at laws and social attitudes relating to homosexuality, ferinstance - it's about 20 years behind the trend, and I'd bet you lunch that the circ rate 20 years ago in other states matched the one in Queensland now.

[TreeFrog]

I was just about to comment on Dr Russell running his practice in Qld too. He (or at least someone representing his practice) has been known to post on here too. He's good at getting the pro circmcision propaganda out there that is for sure. He is one of the leading advocates for circimcision in Australia. Of course he is not the sole reason for such a high circ rate in Qld, but his influence could be a contributing factor.

[circangel]

Circumcision rates (1995 to 2005) have increased in both Qld approximately 2% and NSW approximately 6% in the last 10 years while SA and WA have decreased approximately 1/2% VIC is about the same while TAS has decreased approximately 8% and the NT has decreased approximately 5% Across Australia from 1995 to 2005 there has been an increase of approximately 2% going by statics

I believe the reason for the difference is not because of parents not wanting to do it but more to do with the medical profession not being agreeable to do it in particular areas and states. And if they were it would be a lot more common in those areas where it is currently declining.

[Trumpet]

I was just about to comment on Dr Russell running his practice in Qld too. He (or at least someone representing his practice) has been known to post on here too. He's good at getting the pro circmcision propaganda out there that is for sure. He is one of the leading advocates for circimcision in Australia. Of course he is not the sole reason for such a high circ rate in Qld, but his influence could be a contributing factor.

His practice is also represented in Melbourne by Dr Manish Agaskar but the rates have dropped there by 1/2%. Strange wouldn't you say if he has so much influence?

[misskittyfantastico]

I think it's no surprise to anyone that rural places retain old customs, values and practices long after the rest of the world has moved on.

And Queensland is not exactly the frontrunner in cultural progress. Look at laws and social attitudes relating to homosexuality, ferinstance - it's about 20 years behind the trend, and I'd bet you lunch that the circ rate 20 years ago in other states matched the one in Queensland now.

I'm probably being a bit narky, but in my redneck wonderland circ is definatley on the way out.