Aids risk 'cut by circumcision'

A global campaign is under way to increase awareness about Aids.

Men who have been circumcised may be six times less likely to contract the HIV virus than uncircumcised men, research carried out in India suggests.

The study in the Lancet journal says that the thin foreskin tissue could be highly prone to HIV infection.

The latest study, which backs up earlier research in Africa, was carried out among 2,000-plus men in India.

Researchers say circumcision only reduces the risk of HIV infection - other sexual diseases are not affected.

A number of studies have shown that circumcision appears to lower the chances of contracting HIV.

When Aids first began to emerge in Africa, researchers found that it was more prevalent in the east and south of the continent than in the west.

Differences in sexual behaviour were widely thought to be reason for this.

But some scientists argued that as circumcision was more common in west Africa, it could be reducing the risk of HIV infection, as the foreskin could be more susceptible to the virus than other parts of penis.

This latest research, looking at more than 2,000 men in India, suggests exactly that.

Circumcision only seems to have a protective effect against HIV - other sexually transmitted diseases are just as likely to be passed on, say the researchers.

They believe this may be because the foreskin contains cells that the virus specifically targets.

Can a man be circumcised at any age?

Yes - a man can be circumcised at any age

Hatshi Jazi akusikho a man can not be circumsised at any age. If you get circumsised during your 20s or later then your perfomance drive will be reduced by 60%.

If you do not believe me then try it. A good example is Umgabe he was circusised and look at him. .....

Ndabezitha - ungabe uqinisile but I see no reason (scientific) why your performance should decrease by 60% (!!!). Angithi i circumcision (without wishing to get too explicit or technical) is the removal (surgical) of the foreskin of a man's member (penis).

Abasiki bebunda bathi bona uMgabe was CASTRATED - which is a different animal (!!!) to circumcision. Ngesintu sithi uMgabe wathenwa. Castration as I understand it is the removal of the testis (and or penis). The testis, if memory serves, is the site of production of the male hormone testosterone. Removal of this organ (as in castration) inevitably leads to low levels of this hormone and hence drive!!

I wonder if getting circumcised after 20 will come in handy in being "immune" to Aids. from my understanding, a circumcised boy's "head" is exposed to weather conditions so it gets tougher and less sensitive. Now, would one develop the toughness if circumcised at 30?