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S15-11
(P)
THE COLOGNE COURT DECISION ON CIRCUMCISION RATES IN GERMAN
SPEAKING EUROPE
Anja WEINHANDL
1
, Gerhard FÜLÖP
2
, Marleen VAN DEN HEIJKANT
3
and Alexander SPRINGER
4
1) Medical University Vienna, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Vienna, AUSTRIA - 2) Gesundheit Österreich GmbH,
Vienna, AUSTRIA - 3) Medical University Vienna, Department of Urology, Vienna, AUSTRIA - 4) Medical University
Vienna, Paediatric Surgery, Vienna, AUSTRIA
PURPOSE
In 2012, a Court in Cologne/Germany ruled that circumcision (CC) for religious reasons amounted to grievous bodily
harm, and was therefore a criminal act, prohibited by law. In this study, we sought to determine the influence of the
Cologne court decision (CCD) on the frequency of CC in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Austrian CC data (2002-2013) were obtained from Gesundheit Österreich GmbH, German CC data (2002-2013) from the
Institute for Hospital Remuneration System, and Swiss CC data (2001-2013) from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office.
RESULTS
Austria: Between 2002-2013, an average of 5.000-6.000 pediatric CC/year were performed. After the CCD in 2012,
there is a negative nationwide trend with significant geographical differences.Germany:Between 2004-2013, an average
of 20.000-21.000 inpatient pediatric CC/year were performed. There was a significant decrease in the frequency of CC in
2005 and 2006, since then CC rates remain stable. In 2012, the CCD did not influence CC rates.Switzerland: Between
2001-2013, an average of 200-250 pediatric CC/year (in hospital) were performed. There was a significant increase in
the frequency of CC between 2002 and 2004, followed by a substantial decline in 2005 and 2006, a trend that continues
since then.
CONCLUSIONS
Circumcision is a highly controversial topic with different cultural, religious, philosophical, and legal implications. In
Austria, Germany and Switzerland there has been a declining incidence of circumcision over the last decade with no
significant decrease after the CCD in 2012.