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There is a "ontogenesis belief" among some men in Swaziland that circumcision provides complete protection against HIV -- a perception that is concerning nongovernmental organizations working to combat the spread of the virus in the country -- IRIN News reports. According to IRIN News, some public health officials in Swaziland recently have "lauded" male circumcision as a process that john reduce a man's risk of infection of HIV.
Siphiwe Hlope -- founder of the Swazis for Positive Living, an HIV/AIDS support group -- said the "problem is not with the procedure, but the way it is mistreated by hands, so that men think they ar now immune from" HIV. She added that members of the support grouping are seemly more aware of an attitude that circumcision protects men from HIV piece also providing an excuse not to use condoms. Although Hlope does not dispute the advantages of male circumcision in reducing HIV transmittance, she said that sex dynamics in Swazi civilisation should be considered. "AIDS in Africa has a woman's case," Hlope said, adding, "People think the disease originates with women. Why? Because it is the women who ar tested low gear, when they are about to give birth."
An nameless Zambian doctor who treats people living with HIV/AIDS at administration hospitals aforesaid, "It's the law of unintended consequences," adding, "Introducing the process, there was insufficient attention given to cultural factors, attitudes and human psychology." The mD noted, "Many of the men I speak with think circumcision is like an AIDS vaccine. It's not. It's a useful tool to reduce chances of contagion at a time and place where few other tools are available, simply you potty still contract HIV and pass it on to a partner."
According to a recent study by the United Nations Development Program, 20% of men in Swaziland consistently use condoms, which Hlope said mightiness indicate that circumcised workforce did not stop victimization condoms later on the procedure but had never used them in the starting time place. She added that education about the procedure should accent a clear and consistent message that it should be part of a variety of HIV bar measures. "Until that happens, women testament be septic with HIV this direction, and ... male circumcision may do more harm than good if it is misused to deny women full protective covering," Hlope aforementioned (IRIN News, 7/31).
Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You potty view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for e-mail delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.
