Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
|
|
United Press International - November 28, 2005
In recent years, many doctors and medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, have stopped recommending routine circumcisions because they believed there wasn't enough evidence that it's medically necessary, despite growing evidence that the surgery may reduce the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Overall circumcision rates in the U.S. have fallen to the lowest level in more than half a century, from more than 63 percent in 1993 to less than 56 percent in 2003, the last year for which federal data are available.
Some HIV prevention experts, however, have begun urging doctors to recommend circumcision for newborns.
In the first random trial, published this month in the Public Library of Science Medicine, researchers tracked more than 3,200 men in South Africa who were randomly assigned either to be circumcised or not. Only 20 men in the first group became infected whereas 49 in the second did.
Other, smaller studies done over the last several years strongly suggest circumcision also protects against gonorrhea and syphilis.
051128
UP051125
Copyright © 2005 - United Press International. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through United Press International, Permissions Desk, 1510 H St. N.W. Washington DC 2005. Main Phone Switchboard: 202-898-8000 FAX: 202-898-8057 or 202-898-8147 Email: info@upi.com.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2005. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .