Male circumcision for HIV prevention
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There is compelling evidence that male circumcision reduces the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men by approximately 60%. Three randomized controlled trials have shown that male circumcision provided by well trained health professionals in properly equipped settings is safe. WHO/UNAIDS recommendations emphasize that male circumcision should be considered an efficacious intervention for HIV prevention in countries and regions with heterosexual epidemics, high HIV and low male circumcision prevalence.
Male circumcision provides only partial protection, and therefore should be only one element of a comprehensive HIV prevention package which includes: the provision of HIV testing and counseling services; treatment for sexually transmitted infections; the promotion of safer sex practices; the provision of male and female condoms and promotion of their correct and consistent use.
Latest updates
General information
Policy and advocacy
- A framework for voluntary medical male circumcision
Effective HIV prevention and a gateway to improved adolescent boys’ & men’s health in eastern and southern Africa by 2021 - policy brief
Related topics and links
Technical documents
- Information on ShangRingв„ў (Generation II, self-locking model) device for voluntary medical male circumcision for HIV prevention
pdf, 102kb
June 2015 - WHO prequalification of male circumcision devices
pdf, 1.38Mb
Public report, June 2015 - WHO list of prequalified male circumcision devices
pdf, 47kb
June 2015