Marie Stopes International launches The Kindest Cut – a campaign to increase awareness of the benefits of male circumcision in combating HIV infection among men and increased availability of the servi

On World AIDS Day 2009 (December 1st) global sexual and reproductive health agency Marie Stopes International (MSI) launches The Kindest Cut, a year long campaign to encourage more widespread use of male circumcision across Sub-Saharan Africa, as a means of controlling the spread of HIV, the virus which causes AIDS.

The agency also aims to encourage greater investment from the international donor community - particularly European donors – in programmes to provide male circumcision in Sub-Saharan African countries with high HIV prevalence.

MSI is releasing a new 10 minute video today, available to view online at www.kindestcut.org. The film was shot in Malawi, and features health professionals and clients stating the case for including male circumcision programmes as part of an arsenal of interventions to combat HIV/AIDS.

AIDS is one of the most destructive and widespread pandemics in recent human history, accounting for over 25 million deaths since it was first identified in the 1980s. Africa is the hardest hit of all continents in the world, with an estimated 22 million people living with HIV in 2007, out of a global total of 33 million.

Circumcised men are less likely to have HIV infection than uncircumcised men, according to a compelling body of scientific research evidence has been amassed in recent years. Randomised controlled trials in South Africa, Uganda and Kenya between 2002 and 2006, indicate that male circumcision can reduce the rate of HIV acquisition in men by up to 60%. Both the World Health Organisation and UNAIDS have named male circumcision as a key intervention in halting the spread of HIV in Africa.

MSI responded rapidly to these findings by launching its own model for delivering male circumcision in outreach settings in 2007. Within 18 months, MSI’s Kenyan team had performed over 5,300 procedures and sensitised over 100,000 Kenyans in Nyanza province about the benefits of male circumcision, and the need to continue practicing safe sex using condoms after the procedure has been carried out.

“It is essential that these programmes convey the need for safer sex practices to continue after circumcision,” said Heidi Quinn, MSI’s Male Circumcision Technical Advisor. “Being circumcised is not a charter for young men to engage in unprotected sexual intercourse. The protection offered to men by circumcision is significant, but not entire, and condom usage must continue if the health and wellbeing of males and females is to be safeguarded.”

Quinn also pointed out that male circumcision is an ideal entry point for encouraging men into a more informed and healthy reproductive and sexual health lifestyle, by encouraging them to consider broader screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, checks for testicular cancer, HIV counselling and testing, and information on family planning and services for their partners.

Following the success of its Kenya pilot, MSI has already started rolling out its model across Sub-Saharan Africa, and now has male circumcision outreach programmes running in Malawi, Zambia and Swaziland and is looking to countries such as Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Mozambique to expand its programme.

“Making male circumcision available to vulnerable male populations is a cost effective intervention, and can be introduced within existing sexual and reproductive health centres and mobile outreach facilities if training for staff is provided,” added Heidi Quinn.

“Through MSI’s Kindest Cut campaign, we hope to encourage other providers, and both local and national health systems across Sub-Saharan Africa to recognise the importance of male circumcision in HIV prevention, and to make it available to men throughout the region.”

“In order to do this, greater engagement from the donor community is required, which is another aim of this campaign.”

For further information visit: www.kindestcut.org

Ends

For media enquiries and spokesperson interview please contact:

Tony Kerridge Tel: 00 44 (0)207 034 2365 / 00 44 (0)7748 948037

To discuss male circumcision in African context contact:

Brendan Hayes Tel: +265995 246336 (Malawi)

Editors Notes:

What is male circumcision?

Male circumcision is the removal of the foreskin (or prepuce) that covers the head of the penis. It is among the oldest and most common surgical procedures recorded, and has historically been carried out for religious, cultural and social reasons, as well as on medical grounds

Why is male circumcision carried out for HIV protection?

The inner layer of the foreskin is a mucous membrane that contains a high density of langerhan cells. These cells facilitate the entry of HIV into the bloodstream. Further to this, the inner layer is prone to damage during sexual intercourse, which again increases the risk of HIV infection

What is the impact of male circumcision on the incidence of HIV?

Safe, voluntary male circumcision has been shown to reduce HIV transmission. Both the WHO and UNAIDS have named the procedure as a key intervention in halting the spread of HIV in Africa and throughout the developing world

What is the impact of male circumcision on women?

Whilst male circumcision doesn’t provide direct protection to women, it offers indirect benefits resulting from reduced HIV prevalence in circumcised partners. In addition, male circumcision grants protection against STIs such as HPV. This virus is implicated in the development of cervical cancer, which is the commonest form of cancer amongst women in developing countries.

Categories: Malawi; Zambia; Africa; Advocacy & campaigning; HIV / STIs; Male circumcision; Sexually transmitted infections

01/12/2009

Marie Stopes International launches The Kindest Cut – a campaign to increase awareness of the benefits of male circumcision in combating HIV infection among men and increased availability of the servi

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