Male circumcision should now be considered as an additional strategy for HIV prevention in the context of comprehensive prevention programs. Although this is not the latest news, many people still don't know about it. This is important protection but incomplete protection. It is an additional rather than a replacement strategy.
Circumcised men are up to 60% less likely to get HIV, and now the World Health Organization and the UNAIDS program recommend adult surgery to slow the AIDS pandemic.
The advice is based on three clinical trials suggesting that circumcised men are 50% to 60% less likely than uncircumcised men to get HIV during heterosexual sex.
Circumcised men can and do get infected with the AIDS virus. There is, yet, no evidence that male circumcision protects women. But widespread circumcision would have a major impact on the AIDS pandemic, says Catherine Hankins, MD, chief scientific officer for the UNAIDS.
The key WHO/UNAIDS recommendations:
Countries should implement free or low-cost male circumcision programs if a high percentage of their population is uncircumcised, if HIV is widespread, and if HIV spread is predominantly heterosexual. Most such nations are in southern Africa and, to a lesser extent, in eastern Africa.
Countries should implement free or low-cost male circumcision programs if a high percentage of their population is uncircumcised, if HIV is widespread, and if HIV spread is predominantly heterosexual. Most such nations are in southern Africa and, to a lesser extent, in eastern Africa.
Circumcision programs initially should target sexually active men -- that is, young men and adolescents.
Circumcision should be part of a comprehensive AIDS risk-reduction program. "It does not replace promotion of safer sex, delay of onset of sexual relations, abstinence, reduction of penetrative sex, reduction in number of partners, and provision of male and female condoms with education on their use," Hankins said.
Medical ethics and human rights must be respected. This included informed consent, confidentiality, and lack of coercion.
Circumcision must be provided by trained personnel in a hygienic manner, with medical follow-up to prevent and treat complications.
After circumcision, men must abstain from sexual relations for at least six weeks after surgery, to ensure that their wounds have healed.
Circumcision must be offered in ways that do not offend cultural norms.
Circumcision is not advised for men already infected with HIV, but circumcision should not be denied to HIV-positive men who want the procedure.
Now is about end of 2007, this big discovery can be considered as best news for sexually active men for this year.
Happy New Year.
