Male circumcision can offer protection

“Stick to the ABC strategy,” a phrase emphasized by many doctors, correctly states that male circumcision may reduce the likelihood of HIV infection, though the practice does not eliminate the risk entirely.

Monday, December 03, 2007

"Stick to the ABC strategy,” a phrase emphasized by many doctors, correctly states that male circumcision may reduce the likelihood of HIV infection, though the practice does not eliminate the risk entirely.

Nevertheless, evidence shows that circumcision can be a promising tool for HIV prevention. Recent studies in Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa found that circumcised men are at least 50 percent less likely to contract HIV than uncircumcised men.

Could male circumcision offer protection for women? If a large number of men are circumcised, and thus at lower risk of HIV infection, this would eventually translate into fewer infections in women.

No HIV-prevention method is 100 percent effective, so a comprehensive strategy must take advantage of the contributions of each approach.

Male circumcision should definitely be implemented alongside other ABC efforts.

Kacyiru