NIH funded study: "Male Circumcision and Use of Foreskin Tissues for HIV Prevention in Uganda"

Link here. Excerpt:

'Medical male circumcision (MMC) reduces HIV acquisition in men, and viral STIs in men and women. However, uptake of MMC in many African countries is less than expected and has disproportionately been among younger, lower risk men. There is an urgent need for implementation science incorporating qualitative/quantitative mixed methods research to increase the demand for MMC, particularly among higher risk men; to increase the efficiency of MMC services using MC devices, task shifting/sharing and mobile MMC camps; and to conduct population-level monitoring of coverage and impact. At the basic science level, foreskins collected during MC provide unique access to genital mucosa for study of the virologic, immunologic and host genetic factors associated with vulnerability to or protection from HIV, with implications for HIV prevention. The Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP) and Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) in Uganda have collaborated with Johns Hopkins University (JHU) for over 20 years. We conducted two trials of MMC, post-trial surveillance, evaluation of MMC services, and assessment of MMC procedures, including new MMC devices. We have also collaborated on immunologic and virologic studies of foreskin tissues and the genital microbiome. The collaboration has trained over 50 degree and non-degree students via Fogarty International Center (FIC) awards.'