Male Circumcision

Recent research has proven that adult male circumcision reduces the risk of female to male HIV transmission by more than 50 percent. The World Health Organization and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) recognize male circumcision as an important HIV prevention method. However, because male circumcision does not provide complete protection against HIV, EngenderHealth is also ensuring that these services are part of a comprehensive HIV prevention package.

EngenderHealth, with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is collaborating with the Kenyan Ministry of Health and other partners to improve and expand voluntary adult male circumcision services in Nyanza, the Kenyan province with the highest number of people living with HIV and the lowest male circumcision rate. Our activities there include:

• Training health workers to provide safe and high quality circumcision services, in hygienic settings and under conditions of informed consent and confidentiality
• Strengthening health systems, making sure equipment and supplies are readily available
• Offering male circumcision in conjunction with HIV testing and counseling and risk reduction counseling
• Raising awareness of male circumcision in a culturally sensitive manner by distributing educational information and condoms.

In Tanzania, EngenderHealth implements a pilot project in the Mwanza region that will inform the government’s plans to expand male circumcision services throughout the country. Our work there includes:

• Assessing attitudes of health workers and community members toward HIV and male circumcision
• Addressing the clinical, operational and structural needs of the regional hospital
• Training key medical staff at the regional hospital to provide safe, quality male circumcision services
• Assisting the hospital to conduct quality monitoring and evaluation of circumcision services.