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Circumcision will halve HIV rates over decades

Positive Living article • David Menadue • 24 September 2008
HIV prevention

Numerous presentations at IAS 2008 referred to the value of circumcision in reducing the incidence of HIV. Mathematical modelling by Richard White from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine suggested that tripling the rate of circumcision in a country with largely heterosexually acquired HIV and a current rate of 25% circumcision would eventually halve HIV incidence. However, it would take 50 years for that 75% rate to reach its full effectiveness(Of a drug or treatment). The maximum ability of a drug or treatment to produce a result regardless of dosage. A drug passes efficacy trials if it is effective at the dose tested and against the illness for which it is prescribed. In the standard procedure, Phase II clinical trials gauge efficacy, and Phase III trials confirm it. and it would require circumcision of the majority of sexually active men (15-45). White saw little value in including HIV-positive men in such a program. He warned though that if behavioural change was to occur with a drop of 20% in condom use in casual and commercial sex in those countries, this would wipe out the benefit of circumcision.

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From Positive Living

This article was first published in the September 2008 issue of Positive Living — more than three years ago.

While the content of this was checked for accuracy at the time of publication, NAPWA recommends checking to determine whether the information is the most up-to-date available, especially when making decisions which may affect your health.

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