'Govt should explore acceptability of circumcision'
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Mumbai: Male circumcision can be a preventive tool against the HIV, and government should find out if it would be acceptable to the society, experts feel.
Rate of HIV infections is coming down, but the development of a vaccine is still a remote prospect, so other preventive methods should be considered, says a research paper presented at a recently-concluded conference on HIV.
"As male circumcision has emerged as an effective HIV prevention option there is a need to explore its acceptability in India," the preliminary report prepared by researchers from Pune-based National AIDS Research Institute (NARI) says.
The group of researchers was headed by Dr Seema Sahay.
But the group also found, upon analysis of a study done by a task-force set up by Indian Council of Medical Research, that people would find it hard to accept circumcision for the purpose of HIV prevention.
"Therefore, focus would be needed on developing the communication strategies around translating evidence into community-friendly messages on efficiency of male circumcision to prevent HIV among men," report says.
While doing this, cultural issues and traditional sensitivities should be taken into account, it adds. The report was presented at the International Conference on `Emerging Frontiers and challenges in HIV/AIDS Research'.
Male circumcision involves the surgical removal of the foreskin, which is a low-cost and permanent procedure, but is culturally controversial.
An international study in 2005 found that it reduces risk of contracting HIV among men by 70 per cent.
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