There is a rising concern related to the presence of sexually transmitted diseases among the African population. Among the various conditions currently affecting the population, one of the most concerning noted in several scientific publications comes down to HIV. The World Health Organization is now suggesting the implementation of a strategy that recommends circumcisions among male patients. According to the World Health Organization, the use of circumcisions may provide a reduction in the risk and prevalence of acquired sexually transmitted infections among the local population in Africa.
WHO Recommends Circumcisions For African Men
Following the recognition of HIV as a healthcare epidemic in African countries, the World Health Organization has decided to step in. The idea behind the movements from the World Health Organization is to implement preventive measures. This may assist in reducing the rate at which new cases of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections are diagnosed.
The World Health Organization has announced that they now advise men to consider circumcision as a way of preventing or at least reducing the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.
According to an official publication by the World Health Organization, there are studies that have already proven circumcision as an effective way of reducing the risk that a patient has when it comes to the transmission of HIV. In fact, the WHO reports a 60% reduction in the risk of HIV in a male patient who had a circumcision. The statistics have been conducted on men who have heterosexual sexual intercourse.
The WHO does further state that male circumcision is not a complete solution. The use of this particular strategy may assist in providing partial protection. Men are advised to consider the process of undergoing circumcision as simply one preventive strategy that they utilize. The organization continues to explain that men will need to continue using additional preventive strategies in order to effectively reduce the risk of acquiring HIV.
Even though this recommendation comes from WHO, there are some researchers and medical experts who do not seem to agree. A publication in the Journal of Public Health in Africa refers to WHO advising men to undergo circumcisions as a way of distracting the public from other preventive strategies that could be implemented too. This paper also describes circumcision as an ineffective way of potentially reducing the risk of HIV transmission through heterosexual sexual intercourse.
STDs and Circumcision
Sexually transmitted diseases are considered highly prevalent in Africa. HIV is one of the most frequently noted STDs, but other diseases, such as herpes, Chlamydia, and gonorrhea still remain an important concern among the local population. New suggestions from the WHO advises men to undergo circumcision as a method of reducing the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2202406