Mathematical models are leading the way for policy makers in deciding the rate and predicted effectiveness of the roll out of male circumcision to address HIV/AIDS infection in Africa. The primary lessons according to researchers are that an immediate reduction in HIV transmission will be achieved, but the full effects of the procedure on transmission rates wouldn't be seen for at least 50 years.
Apparently, no discussion was spent on the many variables unaccounted for in such models. Moreover, the alternative views of fellow researchers were not heard in this session at the international AIDS conference currently being held in Mexico City because several of these researchers' papers were rejected by conference organizers. Also, the panel did not discuss the current state of the demographic evidence that shows circumcised men suffer rates of infection roughly equal to their intact brethren.
Research on sexual function and satisfaction post circumcision was also discussed. The improbable finding that circumcision has no effect on men's sexual function and satisfaction was illustrated by the following contradictory confounding response to one of the questions posed to the subjects of the study:
Of the men who actually had been circumcised, 84% reported that it ‘made sex better’ - but then so did 75% of the men who it transpired had not actually been circumcised, casting doubt on the value of this answer.
Link: Aidsmap | Circumcision will halve HIV rates but may take decades to reach full impact.
