Demand for male circumcision rises in a bid to prevent HIV.

The results of two studies, in Kenya and Uganda, are eagerly anticipated followi ing last year’s study carried out in Orange Farm, South Africa, which was stopped early because it showed a significant protective effect of circumcision. It is not known whether the current Kenya and Uganda studies that are due for completion in 2007 will confirm the results of the Orange Farm study, but there are signs that the demand for safe and afi fordable circumcision services is growing fast, particularly in Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia, and in South Africa too. Public health experts say that couni tries in southern Africa with very high HIV prevalence and low circumcision rates and where the spread of HIV is predomii nantly via heterosexual sex may want to consider doing acceptability, feasii bility and costing studies for making male circumcision widely available. The results of the Orange Farm study in South Africa have been widely publicised in the region and discussed by leaders, members of parliaments (MP), health workers, the press and general public. As a result, there are already indications of increasing demand for male circumcision in traditionally noni circumcising societies in southern Africa. At the University Teaching Hospital in Zambia, demand has grown from 1 to 15 a month with a threeimonth waiting list. Demand at one Swaziland hospital is reported to have risen from less than one per month to 40 a month. Marwick Khumalo, a Member of Parliai ment (MP) for Lobamba in Swaziland was quoted in the local press: “All male children should be circumcised. To show Ke ys to ne /A P Ph ot o: S as a Kr al j