Monday, February 6, 2012 - Mpumalanga 
| circumcision reduces the risk of HiV infection |
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| Written by Dr Akin Akinjolire |
| 02 April 2010 |
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Dr Akin Akinjolire Though I am very careful to use sta- tistical data available on the disease, Recent scientific studies and journal the prevalence of the disease is close to articles have confirmed that circumci- sion reduces the risk of HIV infection. Circumcision is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the excess foreskin of the penis in the male gen- der. Traditionally, the procedure is practice at birth by the people of West African origin.
It forms part of the rituals that are performed within seven days of given birth to a male child. In other cultures, circumcision is performed as part of the rituals for male adolescents to mark their pas- sage into adulthood. In South Africa, the procedure is common among the Xhosas where it is compulsory. Other tribes do not see the procedure as a compulsory ritual before the transition into adulthood. Thus, it is not common among the Zulu and the SiSwati. The HIV/AIDS pandemic has led to loss of lives, orphaned many children and has negatively impacted the eco- nomic development of the region sig- nificantly. 45% among sexually-active population in the Nkomazi Municipality Region. Poverty, unemployment, single-par- enthood, migrant labor and other low socio-economic indices have led to the increased mortality and morbidity as- sociated with HIV/AIDS. stRategiC inteRVentions The Government has put in place many strategic interventions to reduce the scourge of the disease. This includes the introduction of Mother-To-Child Transmission Pre- vention strategy, the increased avail- ability to Anti-Retroviral Treatments, distribution of condoms and Voluntary Counseling and Testing. There has been increased involve- ment of the Non-Governmental Orga- nizations to supplement Government efforts in this regard. About 10 years ago, the distribution of the disease pattern led to the curi- osity around the spread of the disease and the practice of circumcision. This was largely due to a lower in- cidence in areas where circumcision is practice as a tradition as compared to areas where the practice was not so popular. As of today, scientific evidence pro- vides proof that male circumcision re- duces a man's risk of acquiring HIV through heterosexual sex by approxi- mately 60%. ReseaRCH in uganda A study done recently in Uganda the HIV particles, and worked against HIV. Therefore, post circumcision; there is a significant reduction in the pres- ence of these bacteria and thus a lesser degree of activated immune system. This promotes the ability of the body to fight off the infection. This hypothesis is bolstered by the observation that female partners of circumcised men are less likely to de- velop bacterial vaginosis, a vaginal in- fection associated with the presence of higher than normal level of anaerobic confirms this finding. In the study, bacteria. the risk reduction is explained by a significant reduction of the presence otHeR FaCtoRs of anaerobic bacterial population in the post-circumcised penile samples. These bacteria have been implicated in the development of HIV infection. These bacteria promote the process of HIV infection by activating a compo- nent of the immune system present in the foreskin of the uncircumcised. The activated immune component Also, other factors that may help re- duce HIV infections in the post circum- cision state include: The top layer of the inner foreskin becomes thicker, perhaps providing a more effective barrier against HIV. The amount of mucosal tissue ex- posed to vaginal secretions could re- is unable to fight the HIV and thus sult in fewer opportunities for HIV to leading to the increased risk of infec- tion. However, in the inactive state, the immune system component fights with the immune cells that it targets These potential explanations are not mutually exclusive and may work in concert to reduce HIV risk. Modern medicine has developed to a level where circumcision can now be performed in the Surgery or General Practitioners' rooms. The "GP" skilled and experienced in the procedure could complete it within 30 minutes. It is virtually painless and when done under appropriate condi- tion, there is no risk of infection or bleeding. The wound heals within two weeks if there is no complication and the patient could go back to work with- in a week of the procedure. The patient could also resume sexu- al activity once the surgical wound is completely healed. Circumcision on its own will not stop HIV infection. Other strategies like abstinence, being fateful to your part- ner, use of condom are complimentary. |
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