Zimbabwean health experts and HIV/AIDS activists are looking closely at the results of studies done in Kenya and Uganda which showed that male circumcision could be an effective means to reduce the spread of HIV and AIDS - though it remains to be seen whether the procedure will be widely sought by men in the country.
The studies found that male circumcision could reduce HIV infection rates among men by half, and the procedure has been endorsed by the World Health Organization.
The studies tracked circumcized and uncircumcised men over a two year period and found that the circumcised men were 51% to 60% less likely to contract HIV than their uncircumcised counterparts.
However, although circumcision can be done at any time in a man’s life, there could be cultural resistance as not all cultures and religions embrace the practice.
Clinical Immunology Professor Elopi Sibanda of the University of Zimbabwe told reporter Ndimyake Mwakalyelye of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that it is difficult to pinpoint the rate of effectiveness, but that circumcision can make a difference.
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