'Circumcision: Canal for new HIV infections'

Article here. Excerpt:

'HARARE - Male circumcision is becoming a canal for new HIV infections as men are now reluctant to use condoms on the basis that they are 60 percent safe, a government official has said.

MDC deputy spokesman and legislator for Bulawayo East Thabitha Khumalo said while circumcision was good in reducing the risk of HIV infections in men, the emphasis should be on the use of condoms than circumcision in order to save both men and women.

Circumcision and the use of condoms, Khumalo said, should be used together if Zimbabwe’s goal of Zero to new HIV infections and Zero to HIV related deaths by 2015 is to be attainable.

“We have a huge challenge where male circumcision has created a canal to those who do not want to use condoms.

People should understand that circumcision is not a cure, it is just a way to help reduce the risk of infections, together with the use of condoms, said Khumalo.

Khumalo said women will be the most affected because they have limited methods of protecting themselves.

According to Khumalo, Sub-Sahara Africa still records the highest figures of new infections with about 7 000 estimated infections despite the increase in the numbers of men who are getting circumcised.'