The World Health Organization and UNAIDS have recommended ha male circumcision be included in the package to fight HIV/AIDS. The recommendation follows the success of three studies in Africa showing the efficiency of the procedure in reducing new HIV infections in men by 60 percent
The new recommendations are mainly applicable in countries were the rate of HIV is too high. Such countries included the sub-Saharan Africa where AIDS has exploded in the last few years.
WHO and UNAIDS said governments must provide free or subsidized access to this procedure. Male circumcision involves cutting the foreskin of the penis. The logic is that the area contains white blood cells, which are the target of HIV virus.
"The recommendations represent a significant step forward in HIV prevention," said Kevin De Cock, director of HIV/AIDS at the World Health Organization. "Countries with high rates of heterosexual HIV infection and low rates of male circumcision now have an additional intervention which can reduce the risk of HIV infection in heterosexual men."
The three African trials took place in Kenya, Uganda and South Africa. All trials were stopped early because of the success in stopping the spread of AIDS in men.
Reacting to the current recommendation, Catherine Hankins, UNAIDS said it was a significant step, "Men and women who consider male circumcision as an HIV preventive method must continue to use other forms of protection such as male and female condoms, delaying sexual debut and reducing the number of sexual partners," she added.
