Funding circ an error

[baybee]

Swaziland: U.S. Circumcision Funds Termed an Error

By Sharon LaFraniere | October 14, 2006

The United States Agency for International Development mistakenly financed a program in Swaziland that promoted circumcision to prevent the spread of H.I.V., a spokesman said. The spokesman, David Snider, said the Family Life Association of Swaziland received about $150,000 in agency funds last year and circumcised 328 men. Financial support has not been renewed this year. He said the agencys policy is not to finance circumcisions until results are in from two major American-financed studies into whether male circumcision helps to prevent H.I.V. transmission. World Health Organization experts are also awaiting the results of those studies before deciding whether to recommend circumcision as a way to fight AIDS.
© Copyright 2006 The New York Times Company

[SleeplessMommy]

This works out to $457 per male. What a waste of money. You can buy a lot of condoms for $457.


1) If you circ a guy that is aready HIV +, it is too late (duh!) to prevent HIV- infection. HIV-infection rate can be very high in some of these countries, so this is an issue, do they plan to test before circing?
2) If Drs performing circ do not properly sterilize their tools, they can actually spread HIV infection. (Yes, this happens all the time in 3rd world)
3) If you tell the newly circed guy that he is now not going to get HIV, he will be more likely to engage in risky behavoir.

HIV can be transmitted by needle sharing, childbirth, etc. I think education, condoms, and anti-aids drugs are the way to go here. :

[Telle Bear]

Originally Posted by SleeplessMommy

2) If Drs performing circ do not properly sterilize their tools, they can actually spread HIV infection. (Yes, this happens all the time in 3rd world)

That was my very thought!!