Is Circumcision a Strategy to Prevent HIV Transmission?

Circumcision is a procedure accepted by some
cultures and rejected by others. But history2. A recent study conducted in Uganda, revealed
reveals that it is the oldest and most commonno female-to-male transmissions in circumcised
surgical procedure performed. Statistics say thatmen with a female partner with a viral load <
one out four men on earth are circumcised. In the50,000 copies/mL.
United States the rate is about 50% and in
Europe it is very rare.3. Two ongoing studies performed in Rakai and
Kenya report that circumcision reduces
Many scientists support the idea that circumcisionfemale-to-male transmission of HIV.
is a strategy to prevent HIV transmission. From
biological point of view the fact the mucosalAt the same time there are some irrelevant
surface of the foreskin has high density of HIVfacts, as a study in South Africa was prematurely
receptors maker this supposition plausible. But thestopped by the Monitoring Board due to
hypothesis needs more trials to get a scientificexcessive rates of HIV transmission in the control
confirmation.group.
Until then there are some evidences that voteIf many confirmations will come, the circumcision
for circumcision as a method of HIV transmissioncould be used alongside condoms to prevent the
prevention.transmission of HIV. But implementing this
measure on a large male population will be
1. Those cultures with high rates of circumcisioncomplicated.
have low HIV rates and vice versa.