Embarrassing findings "unfit to print" ... PloS One

And now from the mailbag ...

Date: Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:55:59 -0700
From: "Frank" <frankxxxx@xxxxx.com>
To: "David Wilton" <wilt31@gmail.com>
Subject: Willingness of Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in the United States to Be Circumcised as Adults to Reduce the Risk of HIV Infection

Hi David,

Would you be covering this article? And would you spell out the confidence lingo so that I may understand?

Frank

http://www.world-of-science-news.com/world-of-science-news/new-and-exciting-in-plos-one-a-blog-around-the-clock-14/

Willingness of Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in the United States to Be Circumcised as Adults to Reduce the Risk of HIV Infection:

Circumcision reduces HIV acquisition among heterosexual men in Africa, but it is unclear if circumcision may reduce HIV acquisition among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States, or whether MSM would be willing to be circumcised if recommended. We interviewed presumed-HIV negative MSM at gay pride events in 2006. We asked uncircumcised respondents about willingness to be circumcised if it were proven to reduce risk of HIV among MSM and perceived barriers to circumcision. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify covariates associated with willingness to be circumcised. Of 780 MSM, 133 (17%) were uncircumcised. Of these, 71 (53%) were willing to be circumcised. Willingness was associated with black race (exact odds ratio [OR]: 3.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3-9.8), non-injection drug use (OR: 6.1, 95% CI: 1.8-23.7) and perceived reduced risk of penile cancer (OR: 4.7, 95% CI: 2.0-11.9). The most commonly endorsed concerns about circumcision were post-surgical pain and wound infection. Over half of uncircumcised MSM, especially black MSM, expressed willingness to be circumcised. Perceived risks and benefits of circumcision should be a part of educational materials if circumcision is recommended for MSM in the United States.

To: "Frank" <frankxxxx@xxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: Willingness of Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in the United States to Be Circumcised as Adults to Reduce the Risk of HIV Infection
From: "David Wilton" <wilt31@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:01:16 +0000

Frank, as you know, circumcision has proven to provide no protection against HIV in gay men. Given this truth demonstrated across three studies, willingness to be circumcised is irrelevant. Seems more likely this study is a better measure of the willingness of black men to swallow lies and put their penis on the chopping block to prove how smart they are. This is likely what I would write about viz this article. - D

Sent with the Blackberry Curve 8320

Let me add to my reply to Frank that willingness to be circumcised was basically associated with being a gullible African-American recreational drug user. I think we don't have too much to worry about in terms of the majority of intact adults turning to circumcision in the United States for the dubious purpose of reducing their risk of HIV ...