South Africa remains the country with the highest number of people living with HIV. The HSRC estimated that 6.8 million people were infected with HIV in 2014. Only 54% of them are aware of their HIV status. The epidemic has varied significantly across the nine different provinces in South Africa. Its diversity and the presence of concentrated epidemics within the generalised epidemic have played an important role in its spread and had an impact on its effective control.

There is sparse evidence to show that HIV prevention programmes have impacted significantly on HIV incidence. However medical male circumcision (MMC) has been shown in recent randomised clinical trials to provide around 60% reduction in the risk of HIV acquisition through heterosexual transmission in men. The results of these trials support the results of observational studies showing a strong correlation between high rates of male circumcision and lower rates of HIV prevalence.

Furthermore, findings from male circumcision (MC) trials conducted in South Africa and Uganda showed that circumcision offers men partial protection against human papillomavirus and herpes simplex virus type 2. Providing MMC in the public sector provides men with the opportunity of protecting themselves and their partners from HIV infection.

HIV prevention is central to the fight against HIV and South Africa has adopted the combination HIV prevention approach, which includes biomedical, socio-behavioural and structural interventions.

The package of HIV prevention services to men include HIV testing services (HTS), sexually transmitted infections (STI) screening and treatment, condom provision, medical male circumcision, HIV risk reduction counselling and referral to other male sexual health and reproductive services.

South Africa has practiced male circumcision within traditional settings for cultural and religious reasons for many years. There are inter-provincial variations in the proportion of men who are circumcised within the traditional settings. It is important to ensure that circumcision as a whole is safe and that human rights are respected when men are circumcised.

These guidelines provide all stakeholders with the necessary guidance for the provision of safe, effective and accessible voluntary MMC services. They promote cost effective and efficient methods for rapid implementation of this potentially life-saving HIV prevention intervention. They are also aligned to existing HIV policies and strategies of the National Department of Health.

It is envisaged that scaling up MMC and equipping the service providers with the necessary competency and skill will contribute towards the reduction of new HIV infections and will improve access to other health services for men.

Minister of Health

Dr A. Motsoaledi

(Extract from “The South African National Guidelines for Medical Male Circumcision 2016“)

Contact us now to find out more about Men’s Clinic International Voluntary Male Medical Circumcision.

Circumcision Benefits

There is some evidence that circumcision has health advantages, including:

• Firstly, less risk of urinary tract infections
• Secondly, a reduced risk of some sexually transmitted diseases in men
• Protection against penile cancer and a lower risk of cervical cancer in female sex partners
• Prevention of balanitis (inflammation of the glans) and balanoposthitis (inflammation of the glans and foreskin)
• Prevention of phimosis (the inability to retract the foreskin) and paraphimosis (the inability to return the foreskin to its original location)

Lastly, there are other advantages to circumcision as it is also easier to keep the end of the penis clean.

Note: Some studies show that good hygiene can help prevent certain problems with the penis, including infections and swelling, even if the penis is not circumcised. In addition, using a condom during sex will help prevent STDs and other infections.

Circumcision Risks

Like any other surgical procedure, there are risks in getting circumcision. But this risk is low. Problems linked to circumcision include:

• Pain
• Risk of bleeding and infection at the site of the circumcision
• Irritation of the glans
• Higher chance of meatitis (inflammation of the opening of the penis)
• Risk of injury to the penis

Contact us now to find out more about Men’s Clinic International Voluntary Male Medical Circumcision.

Lastly, to read more about Male Circumcision, click here.