A recent study suggests that male circumcision may significantly reduce the rate of HIV infections, particularly in regions with high HIV prevalence such as Africa.
The study concludes that if this method is implemented over the next 20 years, it could potentially reduce the number of HIV infections by up to 6 million and prevent 3 million deaths from AIDS in Africa.
Circumcision Method (Photo: VTV)
Circumcision can reduce the risk of infection by 60% for men who engage in high-risk sexual behavior.
A group of scientists from around the world utilized data on HIV infection rates and the prevalence of circumcision in Africa to forecast the potential impact of these two factors.
Using mathematical simulations, the researchers hypothesized that if all men in Africa were circumcised within the next 10 years, approximately 2 million individuals would avoid the risk of HIV infection, and 300,000 deaths could be prevented. In the following decade, the future of 2.7 million people who might die from this epidemic could be a non-existent statistic.
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Professor Catherine Hankins |
However, Catherine Hankins, Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS and a co-author of the study, stated: “Safety, acceptability, and the costs of male circumcision will be critical factors, alongside conducting simulations to assess the potential impact of this method. Because if you do not change your mindset, you will never see its effectiveness.”
Additionally, she provided information that, in different regions of Africa, the study revealed varying results: In West and Central Africa, the circumcision rate among men is higher, and the HIV infection rate is lower. This trend is reversed in Southeast Africa.
Deborah Jack, the Chief Executive of the National AIDS Trust, commented that the study encourages voluntary circumcision and plays an important role in reducing the number of individuals at risk of HIV/AIDS. However, circumcised individuals can still contract HIV, and awareness campaigns remain essential—not to tell the public what can prevent HIV infection, but to instill a sense of caution regarding their health and lives.
