The Sunday Mail
Male circumcision is not “a gate pass” to promiscuity because it only reduces the chances of HIV transmission from a female to male by 60 percent and does not prevent the transmission of the virus.
This means circumcised men are vulnerable to transmitting HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) from females by 40 percent during unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected partner.
It is unfortunate that most men have been misled by the way male circumcision programmes have been advertised which has made them adopt a mentality that “If I am circumcised, I cannot transmit HIV”.
The reality according to health experts is that male circumcision on its own cannot prevent HIV transmission as they encourage persistent use of condoms with or without a circumcised sexual organ.
Male circumcision is defined as the complete removal of the foreskin that covers the distal end of the male sexual organ.
One of the group counsellors from Bulawayo male circumcision centre, Dr Wadzanai Nleya, said after male circumcision, the male sexual organ will still have room for transmitting HIV.
“Being circumcised means the head of the male sexual organ becomes hard making the skin resistant to bruises and injuries that pave way for HIV to penetrate during unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected partner,” said Dr Wadzani Nleya.
“However, after the inner skin is removed during circumcision, the opening of the male organ (urethra) is left unchanged with very tender tissues that can tear during intercourse and can pave way for the HIV virus to be transmitted to the male.
“That is the reason why we say male circumcision reduces chances of HIV transmission by 60 percent because the unsafe 40 percent is left for incidences where the virus can be transmitted through the urethra.”
He said both circumcised and uncircumcised men are encouraged to persistently use condoms correctly during sexual intercourse to prevent themselves from transmitting HIV.
However, male circumcision was not only designed for the benefit of males as there are a lot of medical benefits for females too.
Although some men may argue that circumcision can result in the male sexual organ failing to erect due to the reduction of the organ’s sensitivity, Dr Nleya said circumcision enhances sexual intercourse.
“The foreskin of a male sexual organ is very sensitive during intercourse, therefore, when it is removed, the male may prolong his ejaculation compared to before circumcision,” Dr Nleya said.
“This means after circumcision, men increase their chances of satisfying the females.”
He also said circumcision prevents the development of penal cancers and the passing on of Human Pap molar Virus (HPV).
HPV causes cervical cancers among women. However, males can pass on the virus to females without being affected.
Cervical cancer is one of the leading cancers in Zimbabwe claiming an estimated 1 200 lives annually.
Ministry of Health and Child Care Provincial VMMC medical director for Matabeleland South, Dr Rudo Chikodzore, said circumcision reduces re-infections of infections such as vaginal thrush.
“Some people may think urging their husbands to be circumcised will be encouraging them to be promiscuous when in actual fact it will be for the wives’ benefits,” Dr Chikodzore said.
“Infections such as thrush have no effects on the male, but can be transmitted from a woman to another woman by a man and a wife can be re-infected even after treatment if her husband carries the fungi.”
But, how does circumcision reduce HIV transmission?
PSI director of VMMC in Zimbabwe Dr Ngoni Madidi said male circumcision reduces HIV transmission as it removes the inner surface of the foreskin of a male sexual organ that is highly vulnerable to HIV infection.
“Over 50 ecological and observational studies have shown that lack of male circumcision is associated with higher HIV infection rate in men,” Dr Madidi said.
“Researches from the three trials in Kenya, Uganda and South Africa showed that the inner surface of the foreskin is up to nine times more vulnerable than cervical tissue in women.
“Therefore, if the foreskin is removed, the male can reduce his chances of transmitting HIV and other STIs from females by 60 percent.”
