By Shamiso Yikoniko
for The Sunday Mail, Zimbabwe
The HIV prevalence rate among circumcised males between the ages of 15 and 49 in Zimbabwe is higher than that of intact males owing to the misconception that circumcision completely shields people from HIV infection.
According to the latest Zimbabwe Health Demographic Survey (ZHDS 2010/2011), the prevalence rate among the circumcised is 14% while that of the intact is 12%. The circumcision status of participants was established during pre-test counseling. However, the country’s overall prevalence rate for the same age group declined to 15 from 18%, according to the same survey.
National Aids Council (Nac) public health officer, Dr. Blessing Mutede, said authorities were concerned about the high rate of infection among the circumcised. He said it was largely a result of “risk compensation behaviors.” Most men, after circumcision, harbour the false impression that they have been equipped with an invisible condom, he added. “It is a worrying development that at a time when we are promoting male circumcision as a preventive measure to combat HIV, we are recording a high prevalence rate amongst the group that has been circumcised largely due to uninformed risky compensation behaviors." He continued, “Most people forget that being circumcised will only safeguard a person from contracting HIV up to a certain percentage and they are still at a 40 percent risk of contracting the virus. What we encourage everyone, circumcised or [intact], is to practise safe sex all the time.”
During the survey, a sample of 5,650 men ages 15 and 49 were tested for HIV. They were also asked about their circumcision status. The information was, thereafter, used to determine the relationship between HIV prevalence and circumcision. The World Health Organization recommends adult male circumcision for HIV prevention in “generalised epidemic settings” where prevalence of the virus is high and male circumcision is low. Zimbabwe embraced this recommendation and anticipates that it will prevent 42 percent of all new infections between 2015 and 2025 if 80% of males in the country are circumcised. The country also hopes to reduce HIV prevalence to about 7 percent, in addition to other benefits. The country has carried out about 70,000 circumcisions since the program began in 2009.
Original report here.
Related Reading:
AIDSCirc.org
The Circumcision Song
African AIDS / Circumcision Propaganda Posters
Sub-Saharan African randomized clinical trials into male circumcision and HIV transmission: Methodology, ethical and legal concerns[pdf]
Circumcision and HIV: Harm Outweighs Benefit< ABC: Not Circumcision
South African Doctor Warns Against Using Circumcision to Fight HIV
African HIV/Circumcision Study Ends Early: Too many women becoming infected
Uganda Woman Divorces Husband for Getting Circumcised
African Healer Sees Higher HIV Rates, Lower Condom Use After Circumcision
Two Boys, One Man Die From Circumcision in Eastern Cape
Malawi rules out circumcision as AIDS-prevention: No evidence that it works
The Nuts and Bolts of HIV in the USA and why Circumcision Won't Protect Men
Flawed Studies Used to Claim Circumcision Reduces HIV
Why is Circumcision so Prevalent in Africa?
Political determinants of variable etiology resonance: Explaining the African AIDS epidemic [abstract]
Double standards in research ethics, healthcare safety, and scientific rigour allowed Africa's HIV/AIDS epidemic disasters
Male Circumcision and HIV Prevention: Insufficient Evidence and Neglected External Validity [pdf]
Male circumcision and its relationship to HIV infection in South Africa: Results of a national survey in 2002
How the Circumcision Solution in Africa Will Increase Infections [abstract]
Male Circumcision is NOT the HIV Vaccine We've Been Waiting For
Circumcision is Not a Cure-all for AIDS
The Use of Male Circumcision to Limit HIV Infection [NOCIRC]
The Use of Male Circumcision to Limit HIV Infection [Doctors Opposing Circumcision]
The Cost to Circumcise Africa [pdf]
The Truth About Circumcision and HIV
Norm Cohen [video interview] on HIV and Circumcision
A Myth that Kills: AIDS Industry Feeds on Fear
Uganda: Mad Rush for Male Circumcision
Circumcision: Already Illegal?
Here we go again: New York Times publishes headline on HIV and Circumcision
Male Circumcision and HIV [website]
for The Sunday Mail, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Circumcision Poster
The HIV prevalence rate among circumcised males between the ages of 15 and 49 in Zimbabwe is higher than that of intact males owing to the misconception that circumcision completely shields people from HIV infection.
According to the latest Zimbabwe Health Demographic Survey (ZHDS 2010/2011), the prevalence rate among the circumcised is 14% while that of the intact is 12%. The circumcision status of participants was established during pre-test counseling. However, the country’s overall prevalence rate for the same age group declined to 15 from 18%, according to the same survey.
National Aids Council (Nac) public health officer, Dr. Blessing Mutede, said authorities were concerned about the high rate of infection among the circumcised. He said it was largely a result of “risk compensation behaviors.” Most men, after circumcision, harbour the false impression that they have been equipped with an invisible condom, he added. “It is a worrying development that at a time when we are promoting male circumcision as a preventive measure to combat HIV, we are recording a high prevalence rate amongst the group that has been circumcised largely due to uninformed risky compensation behaviors." He continued, “Most people forget that being circumcised will only safeguard a person from contracting HIV up to a certain percentage and they are still at a 40 percent risk of contracting the virus. What we encourage everyone, circumcised or [intact], is to practise safe sex all the time.”
During the survey, a sample of 5,650 men ages 15 and 49 were tested for HIV. They were also asked about their circumcision status. The information was, thereafter, used to determine the relationship between HIV prevalence and circumcision. The World Health Organization recommends adult male circumcision for HIV prevention in “generalised epidemic settings” where prevalence of the virus is high and male circumcision is low. Zimbabwe embraced this recommendation and anticipates that it will prevent 42 percent of all new infections between 2015 and 2025 if 80% of males in the country are circumcised. The country also hopes to reduce HIV prevalence to about 7 percent, in addition to other benefits. The country has carried out about 70,000 circumcisions since the program began in 2009.
Original report here.
Related Reading:
AIDSCirc.org
The Circumcision Song
African AIDS / Circumcision Propaganda Posters
Sub-Saharan African randomized clinical trials into male circumcision and HIV transmission: Methodology, ethical and legal concerns[pdf]
Circumcision and HIV: Harm Outweighs Benefit< ABC: Not Circumcision
South African Doctor Warns Against Using Circumcision to Fight HIV
African HIV/Circumcision Study Ends Early: Too many women becoming infected
Uganda Woman Divorces Husband for Getting Circumcised
African Healer Sees Higher HIV Rates, Lower Condom Use After Circumcision
Two Boys, One Man Die From Circumcision in Eastern Cape
Malawi rules out circumcision as AIDS-prevention: No evidence that it works
The Nuts and Bolts of HIV in the USA and why Circumcision Won't Protect Men
Flawed Studies Used to Claim Circumcision Reduces HIV
Why is Circumcision so Prevalent in Africa?
Political determinants of variable etiology resonance: Explaining the African AIDS epidemic [abstract]
Double standards in research ethics, healthcare safety, and scientific rigour allowed Africa's HIV/AIDS epidemic disasters
Male Circumcision and HIV Prevention: Insufficient Evidence and Neglected External Validity [pdf]
Male circumcision and its relationship to HIV infection in South Africa: Results of a national survey in 2002
How the Circumcision Solution in Africa Will Increase Infections [abstract]
Male Circumcision is NOT the HIV Vaccine We've Been Waiting For
Circumcision is Not a Cure-all for AIDS
The Use of Male Circumcision to Limit HIV Infection [NOCIRC]
The Use of Male Circumcision to Limit HIV Infection [Doctors Opposing Circumcision]
The Cost to Circumcise Africa [pdf]
The Truth About Circumcision and HIV
Norm Cohen [video interview] on HIV and Circumcision
A Myth that Kills: AIDS Industry Feeds on Fear
Uganda: Mad Rush for Male Circumcision
Circumcision: Already Illegal?
Here we go again: New York Times publishes headline on HIV and Circumcision
Male Circumcision and HIV [website]
~~~~
it only makes sense that when you sell circ as a prevention for HIV, men therefore think they are adequately protected. duh! of course they're going to have unprotected sex. They'd never agree to circ if you told them it reduces their sensitivity *and* they still have to wear a condom.
ReplyDeleteAnyone have a link to studies on HIV transmission rates of partners of circed men?