Adult mate circumcision to prevent HIV?

While the HIV pandemic persists, and randomized clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of mate circumcision as an HIV prevention measure are underway with initial results being released, there is still much debate on the implications of these studies as well as on the feasibility of such a measure. This paper summarizes and discusses the main findings of studies of the evidence underlying adult mate circumcision to prevent HIV, explores its feasibility and the implication for policy and future research. White the existing biological and epidemiological evidence suggest potential reduction of the risk of HIV acquisition in circumcised men, additional evidence from randomized trials are needed to confirm this. Even if the findings are confirmed, the practical aspects of implementing adult circumcision would have to be carefully considered. The feasibility of such an intervention, particularly with respect to its cost-effectiveness, safety and acceptability, is still to be demonstrated. (c) 2005 International Society for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.