Kenya: State to Popularise Male Circumcision

The East African Standard (Nairobi)

December 18, 2006
Posted to the web December 18, 2006

James Ratemo
Nairobi

The Ministry of Health (MOH) is seeking ways of promoting male circumcision as a way of reducing HIV infections.

Director of Medical Services Dr James Nyikal, however,,cautioned circumcised men against embracing a false sense of safety, saying circumcision does not offer complete protection.

Speaking during a press conference on Monday, Nyikal said a multi-sectoral committee would be instituted to formulate a policy based on scientific research.

Circumcised males should continue practicing the well known HIV prevention strategies, he said.

"Although results demonstrate that male circumcision reduces the risk of men getting infected with HIV, the MOH wishes to affirm that circumcised men can still get infected with the HIV virus and can infect their sexual partners," Nyikal said.

Research findings

He cited reduction in the number of sexual partners, delaying the onset of sexual relations, correct and consistent use of male and female condoms, and HIV testing and counseling as a comprehensive preventive package.

The announcement follows research findings by the United States National Institute of Health that male circumcision can significantly reduce risk of contracting HIV through heterosexual (male-female) intercourse.

In the study, involving 2,784 HIV-negative men from Kisumu, it showed a 53 per cent risk reduction in circumcised men compared to uncircumcised men. And a trial involving 4,996 HIV-negative men in Rakai, Uganda, showed risk reduction of 47 per cent.

The study was conducted in Kenya and Uganda by local researchers in conjunction with other experts from US and Canada.

Increased negative effects

Presenting the findings, a researcher from University of Nairobi, Prof Ndinya Achola, said the Kisumu Study involved circumcised and uncircumcised men between 18-24 years.

"The research, that commenced in 2002, was scheduled to end in 2007 but was stopped by a data safety monitoring board due to increased negative effects noticed on participants," Achola said.

Achola's team will, however, monitor the participants to decipher more findings.

Further, Nyikal said female circumcision was not included in the study, hence no evidence of the cut reducing risk of HIV infection.

The two were speaking at the Ministry of Health Headquarters in Nairobi.