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Adult male circumcision - can it prevent HIV and the spread of AIDS
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Since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS became an epidemic, medical disease control researchers have been exploring the statistics that show a correlation between male circumcision and a lowered risk of HIV infection.
Many medical practitioners believe that there is still ample room for data analysis to justify an 'HIV prevention male circumcision program' for countries where AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases are surging.. however, is the wait to compile more data fully justified if the possibility of disease control by male circumcision can save lives truly exists.. even though the overall health impact has not been fully quantified?
'The implementation of male circumcision as an HIV prevention strategy decreases the risk of urinary tract infections, cancer of the penis and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS' (the journal of medical ethics).
The circumcision procedure by a doctor is often done without anesthesia takes a few minutes where the doctor carefully clamps the loose sheath fold of skin, cuts it off and quickly puts a yellow powder called 'bismuth subgallate' on the penis inner lining to control bleeding; the end result of this procedure prevents the skin flap from hooding over the urethra.
In the past it was believed that the procedure was deliberately done without anesthetic to deter a masturbation habit later in life. Today some anti-circumcision activists claim that circumcision is related to impotence problems later in life. As male infants around the world continue to be circumcised for various medical, social or religious reasons, the topic surrounding newborn male circumcision is still an ethically sensitive and delicate issue that many medical practitioners believe is based on erroneous and historically outdated information.
According to the Circumcision Information Resource Centre, even though most circumcisions performed in Canada are for non-religious reasons, in the Jewish faith that has held the practice for over 4000 years, circumcision is an important religious ritual that supports the coming of age customs of the Jewish tradition.
Although the practice is widespread it is no longer considered a popular choice, worldwide studies show that less than 1 in 4 males (less than 24% of men) are circumcised, yet when the reason is strictly for religious tradition the debates spark many human rights issues.
Male Genitalia Exam Mark H. Swartz M.D.
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