At least 900 teenagers living in rural areas of Musanze District have undergone circumcision.

The teenagers, aged between 10 to 19 years, were also sensitised about avoiding sexually transmitted diseases.

Health officials said the campaign aims to give rural teenagers, who had no knowledge on the importance of circumcision or had lacked means to get circumcised, the opportunity to do so.

The circumcised teenagers welcomed the circumcision drive in their respective areas saying that they made the decision to get circumcised after receiving training about the benefits of the procedure.

Blaise Twizerimana, 14, from Rwaza Sector was happy he had undergone the procedure.

"I didn’t know that it is this important until local leaders and my parents encouraged me to get circumcised. I was taught that circumcision reduces the risk of getting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases,” he said.

He said that although it is not his aim to get involved in sexual activities, he was happy that the procedure was good for his hygiene.

Eric Kwizera 13, who also benefited from circumcision, said that his parents encouraged him.

"My parents encouraged me to get circumcised saying that it is better when I do it while I am still young as the pain is not as the same as when one does it when old. Even if I feel pain I am hopeful it will end soon,” Kwizera said.

The Rwanda Youth Parliament (PAJER) in partnership with The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is running the initiative.

According to Emmanuel Rutayisire, PAJER field officer the circumcision drive is part of a wider campaign to mobilise youth to prevent HIV/AIDS and other sexual transmitted diseases.

He said that apart from the 900  teens who were circumcised, the campaign will see over 6000 youth trained on how to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS and other STDs.

Local leaders and community health workers were also trained and will keep working with residents to ensure the youth benefit from skills aimed at protecting them from HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

Rutayisire said that there were plans to extend the circumcision campaign, adding that the number of people who were circumcised was limited due to limited financial means.

Jean Damascene Uwamungu, the surgeon from Rwaza health centre said they had received a big number of people who wanted to be circumcised adding that a big number of rural teenagers would benefit from the service if it was extended.

Medical doctors say that circumcision may reduce the risk of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI), such as a bladder infection, reduce the risk of getting some types of sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV and genital herpes.

Circumcision may also reduce the risk of developing cancer of the penis according to medical reports.