Article

Male circumcision could prevent millions of AIDS deaths

"Circumcision has been practised in many parts of the world for thousands of years. (From a bas-relief in the tomb of Ankhmahor at the Egyptian necropolis at Saqqara (ca. 2400 B.C.). Wellcome Institute Library)"

Researchers involved with a 'landmark' trial, which found evidence that male circumcision (MC) could reduce the chance of becoming infected with HIV, have published an analysis estimating the likely impact of expanding the practice of MC across Africa.

MC has been practised by many of Africa's ethnic groups for many centuries. It usually takes place in late childhood or early adolescence. A large trial in South Africa, published last year, suggested that being circumcised reduced the chance of men becoming infected with HIV infection by about 60%. Taking into account information on HIV infection rates and the prevalence of male circumcision across Africa, the researchers have calculated that, if all men were circumcised over the next 10 years, some two million new infections and around 300,000 deaths could be avoided. Looking at a variety of possible outcomes that might arise if MC is widely promoted and making calculations for 10, 20 and 30 years time, the researchers conclude that the protective benefit to HIV-negative men will be immediate but the full impact of MC on HIV-related illness and death will only become apparent further into the future. After 20 years, the researchers say the number of lives saved would be somewhere in the range 1.6 - 5.8 million. - PLoS medicine

Male circumcision in South Africa is an important part of traditional Xhosa culture marking the transition from boyhood to manhood. Each year however many young men may pay the ultimate price in botched operations. While the South African government has embarked on several strategies to ensure the safety of the practise, many still die as a result of infection or suffer serious disfigurement. - Editor's Note.

More information:

 Brian Williams
World Health Organization
Stop TB
20 avenue Appia
Geneva, 1212 Switzerland
+41227914680
williamsbg@who.int

The full paper is at PLoS

Citation:
Williams BG, Lloyd-Smith JO, Gouws E, Hankins C, Getz WM, et al. (2006) The potential impact of male circumcision on HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. PLoS Med 3(7): e262.

About the Public Library of Science
The Public Library of Science (PLoS) is a non-profit organization of scientists and physicians committed to making the world's scientific and medical literature a freely available public resource. For more information, visit http://www.plos.org

Science in Africa - Africa's First On-Line Science Magazine

Copyright  Science in Africa, Science magazine for Africa CC. All Rights Reserved

Terms and Conditions