IRIN Africa | Planning for non-surgical male circumcision | Botswana | Kenya | Malawi | Rwanda | Tanzania | Uganda | South Africa | Aid Policy | Gender Issues | Health & Nutrition | HIV/AIDS (PlusNews)
In May, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) announced the prequalification of PrePex, the first non-surgical device for adult male circumcision. Compared to surgical circumcision, the device has fewer complications and is easier and quicker to use, allowing lower-cadre medical workers to be trained to perform the procedure.
Randomized, controlled trials in 2006 found that male circumcision reduced a man's risk of contracting HIV through vaginal intercourse by as much as 60 percent.
Fourteen African countries in eastern and southern Africa plan on circumcising a total of 20 million men by 2016 in an effort to curb the transmission of HIV. A number of these countries are lagging behind on their targets, and feel the PrePex device will give their programmes a much-needed boost, while others are more cautious.
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