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World J Urol. 2012 Feb;30(1):3-13. doi: 10.1007/s00345-011-0696-x. Epub 2011 May 18.

Male circumcision and HIV infection risk.

Author information

1
Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. jkrieger@u.washington.edu

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Male circumcision is being promoted to reduce human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) infection rates. This review evaluates the scientific evidence suggesting that male circumcision reduces HIV infection risk in high-risk heterosexual populations.

METHODS:

We followed the updated International Consultation on Urological Diseases evidence-based medicine recommendations to critically review the scientific evidence on male circumcision and HIV infection risk.

RESULTS:

Level 1 evidence supports the concept that male circumcision substantially reduces the risk of HIV infection. Three major lines of evidence support this conclusion: biological data suggesting that this concept is plausible, data from observational studies supported by high-quality meta-analyses, and three randomized clinical trials supported by high-quality meta-analyses.

CONCLUSIONS:

The evidence from these biological studies, observational studies, randomized controlled clinical trials, meta-analyses, and cost-effectiveness studies is conclusive. The challenges to implementation of male circumcision as a public health measure in high-risk populations must now be faced.

PMID:
21590467
DOI:
10.1007/s00345-011-0696-x
[Indexed for MEDLINE]

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