HIV link

[RasJi7]

Mother of intact boy here.

Just heard the tail end of a news clip on NPR 88.1 here and they were reporting that circumcision reduces risk of becoming infected with HIV. They say it did this in Africa.

I just can't wrap my head around any reason that removing a part of the body that is there for protection would reduce risk of HIV infection.

Here's the only similar link I would find through their website
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...ryId=112215261

Can someone please explain to me why this was the outcome they saw in Africa- it makes no sense to me.

thanks

[tutucrazy]

There was one African study that showed a benefit in female-to-male HIV transmission. However, other studies have not been able to come up with the same result. More recently a study published by the Lancet shows an increase in transmission to women from circumcised males. There are serious questions about the efficacy of the study that reports male circumcision to reduce HIV transmission, ethics and methods have been called into question. The conductors of the study went in with the intent on proving this that circ reduced HIV transmission.

Check out this thread to see why this study has little relevance to the USA:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1128211

[RasJi7]

Thanks tutucrazy, I figured as much, but like to have my ducks in a row in case I'm in the situation to be an intactivist Sure do keep us on our toes don't they?