Name: I M Cut 2006-08-16 11:43
Circumcision cuts risk of HIV, study finds Sharon Kirkey, The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Wednesday, August 16, 2006 Article tools
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Font: * * * * TORONTO - Circumcision could have a "staggering" effect on the control of HIV worldwide, but the challenge will be convincing men to have it done, former U.S. president Bill Clinton said yesterday.
Scientists at the world's largest AIDS gathering in Toronto reported more evidence that removing the male foreskin appears to dramatically reduce the risk of HIV infection.
An ongoing study of tea plantation residents in Kericho, Kenya, found dramatically lower HIV rates among circumcised men versus uncircumcised men after two years of followup.
Other researchers reported that circumcision would cost $181 for every HIV infection averted and that 32,000 to 53,000 infections could be prevented in Soweto alone over the next 20 years if more men were circumcised.
And, despite serious concerns that men who are circumcised would adopt more risky sexual behaviours, a study of 324 recently circumcised men in Kenya found no excess of reported risky sex.
Mr. Clinton told delegates that, if it works, circumcision could be a powerful means to reduce the devastating global burden of HIV.
"We should all be prepared for a green light that could have a staggering effect on the male population."
A randomized controlled trial in South Africa was halted prematurely last year.
Researchers discovered circumcision appeared to reduce the risk of female-to-male HIV transmission by 61 per cent.
Women appear to benefit as well: A study based on 300 couples in Uganda found that male circumcision reduced the likelihood that the female partner would become infected by 30 per cent.
In the ongoing study in Kenya, the HIV infection rate after 24 months of followup was 0.78 per 100 person-years in the circumcised men, versus 2.48 in uncircumcised men.
That means that, for example, if 100 men were followed for one year, there would be 2.48 infections in the uncircumcised group.
The cells in the foreskin are thought to be more susceptible to HIV infection.
But critics wonder how men who refuse to wear condoms will be convinced to undergo a circumcision.
"Think about what you're asking us to do," one woman told a scientific panel on circumcision. "How do you roll out projects like these that tell black men what to do with their penises?"
In addition, studies to date show removing the foreskin doesn't provide complete protection and there are fears a massive scale-up of circumcision programs could lead to diminished condom use.
Meanwhile, 25 years into the epidemic, there are 11,000 new HIV infections every day.
"Adult male circumcision is available now and is relatively affordable, safe and acceptable. It is also highly effective," said Kyeen Mesesan of the Yale University School of Medicine.
Published: Wednesday, August 16, 2006 Article tools
Printer friendly
Font: * * * * TORONTO - Circumcision could have a "staggering" effect on the control of HIV worldwide, but the challenge will be convincing men to have it done, former U.S. president Bill Clinton said yesterday.
Scientists at the world's largest AIDS gathering in Toronto reported more evidence that removing the male foreskin appears to dramatically reduce the risk of HIV infection.
An ongoing study of tea plantation residents in Kericho, Kenya, found dramatically lower HIV rates among circumcised men versus uncircumcised men after two years of followup.
Other researchers reported that circumcision would cost $181 for every HIV infection averted and that 32,000 to 53,000 infections could be prevented in Soweto alone over the next 20 years if more men were circumcised.
And, despite serious concerns that men who are circumcised would adopt more risky sexual behaviours, a study of 324 recently circumcised men in Kenya found no excess of reported risky sex.
Mr. Clinton told delegates that, if it works, circumcision could be a powerful means to reduce the devastating global burden of HIV.
"We should all be prepared for a green light that could have a staggering effect on the male population."
A randomized controlled trial in South Africa was halted prematurely last year.
Researchers discovered circumcision appeared to reduce the risk of female-to-male HIV transmission by 61 per cent.
Women appear to benefit as well: A study based on 300 couples in Uganda found that male circumcision reduced the likelihood that the female partner would become infected by 30 per cent.
In the ongoing study in Kenya, the HIV infection rate after 24 months of followup was 0.78 per 100 person-years in the circumcised men, versus 2.48 in uncircumcised men.
That means that, for example, if 100 men were followed for one year, there would be 2.48 infections in the uncircumcised group.
The cells in the foreskin are thought to be more susceptible to HIV infection.
But critics wonder how men who refuse to wear condoms will be convinced to undergo a circumcision.
"Think about what you're asking us to do," one woman told a scientific panel on circumcision. "How do you roll out projects like these that tell black men what to do with their penises?"
In addition, studies to date show removing the foreskin doesn't provide complete protection and there are fears a massive scale-up of circumcision programs could lead to diminished condom use.
Meanwhile, 25 years into the epidemic, there are 11,000 new HIV infections every day.
"Adult male circumcision is available now and is relatively affordable, safe and acceptable. It is also highly effective," said Kyeen Mesesan of the Yale University School of Medicine.