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Background. We examined the effect of male circumcision on the acquisition of 3 nonulcerative sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Methods. We evaluated the incidence of STI among men aged 18-24 years enrolled in a randomized trial of circumcision to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Kisumu, Kenya. The outcome was first incident nonulcerative STI during 2 years of follow-up. STIs examined were laboratory-detected Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis infection. Results. There were 342 incident infections among 2655 men followed up. The incidences of infection due to N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, and T. vaginalis were 3.48, 4.55, and 1.32 cases per 100 person-years, respectively. The combined incidence of N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis infection was 7.26 cases per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval, 6.49-8.13 cases per 100 person-years). The incidences of these STIs, individually or combined, did not differ by circumcision status as a time-dependent variable or a fixed variable based on assignment. Risks for incident STIs in multivariate analysis included an STI at enrollment, multiple sex partners within <30 days, and sexual intercourse during menses in the previous 6 months; condom use was protective. Conclusions. Circumcision of men in this population did not reduce their risk of acquiring these nonulcerative STIs. Improved STI control will require more-effective STI management, including partner treatment and behavioral risk reduction counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a randomized controlled trial of young men in Kisumu, Kenya that examined whether male circumcision protected against HIV infection. The men were assessed by HIV testing, medical examinations, and behavioral interviews. The authors found that male circumcision does significantly reduce the risk of acquiring of HIV in young men in Africa. The authors recommend that voluntary, safe, and affordable male circumcision services be integrated with other HIV preventive interventions as quickly as possible.

Introduction. Male circumcision is being promoted for HIV prevention in high-risk heterosexual populations. However, there is a concern that circumcision may impair sexual function. Aim. To assess adult male circumcision's effect on men's sexual function and pleasure. Methods. Participants in a controlled trial of circumcision to reduce HIV incidence in Kisumu, Kenya were uncircumcised, HIV negative, sexually active men, aged 18–24 years, with a hemoglobin ≥9.0 mmol/L. Exclusion criteria included foreskin covering less than half the glans, a condition that might unduly increase surgical risks, or a medical indication for circumcision. Participants were randomized 1:1 to either immediate circumcision or delayed circumcision after 2 years (control group). Detailed evaluations occurred at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Main Outcome Measures. (i) Sexual function between circumcised and uncircumcised men; and (ii) sexual satisfaction and pleasure over time following circumcision. Results. Between February 2002 and September 2005, 2,784 participants were randomized, including the 100 excluded from this analysis because they crossed over, were not circumcised within 30 days of randomization, did not complete baseline interviews, or were outside the age range. For the circumcision and control groups, respectively, rates of any reported sexual dysfunction decreased from 23.6% and 25.9% at baseline to 6.2% and 5.8% at month 24. Changes over time were not associated with circumcision status. Compared to before they were circumcised, 64.0% of circumcised men reported their penis was “much more sensitive,” and 54.5% rated their ease of reaching orgasm as “much more” at month 24. Conclusions. Adult male circumcision was not associated with sexual dysfunction. Circumcised men reported increased penile sensitivity and enhanced ease of reaching orgasm. These data indicate that integration of male circumcision into programs to reduce HIV risk is unlikely to adversely effect male sexual function. Krieger JN, Mehta SD, Bailey RC, Agot K, Ndinya-Achola JO, Parker C, and Moses S. Adult male circumcision: Effects on sexual function and sexual satisfaction in Kisumu, Kenya. J Sex Med 2008;5:2610–2622. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the sexual practices and risk factors for prevalent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among young men in Kisumu, Kenya. As part of the experimental design, lifetime sexual histories were collected from a sample of 1337 uncircumcised subjects within the randomized controlled trial of male circumcision to reduce HIV incidence. The results showed 65 men or 5% of the participants tested were positive for HIV. Meanwhile, the researchers concluded that the analysis confirmed the importance of established risk factors for HIV and identified practices that needed further investigation.

In a combined study from the USA and Kenya, the safety of adult male circumcision in the latter country was reviewed, particularly with the purported association between this procedure and a lower incidence of HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections. It was found that safe and acceptable adult male circumcision services could be delivered in developing countries should this be advocated as a public health measure. OBJECTIVE To develop a standard procedure for male circumcision in a resource-poor medical setting and prospectively evaluate the outcome in a randomized, controlled trial with the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as the main outcome, as studies suggest that circumcision is associated with a lower incidence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in high-risk populations. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Healthy, uncircumcised, HIV-seronegative men aged 18–24 years from Kisumu District, Kenya, were offered participation in a clinical trial using a standard circumcision procedure based on ‘usual’ medical procedures in Western Kenya. The follow-up included visits at 3, 8 and 30 days after circumcision, with additional visits if necessary. Healing, satisfaction and resumption of activities were assessed at these visits and 3 months from randomization. RESULTS Overall, 17 (3.5%) of the 479 circumcisions were associated with adverse events judged definitely, probably or possibly related to the procedure. The most common adverse events were wound infections (1.3%), bleeding (0.8%), and delayed wound healing or suture line disruption (0.8%). After 30 days, 99% of participants reported being very satisfied with the procedure; ≈ 23% reported having had sex and 15% reported that their partners had expressed an opinion, all of whom were very satisfied with the outcome. About 96% of the men resumed normal general activities within the first week after the procedure. CONCLUSION Safe and acceptable adult male circumcision services can be delivered in developing countries should male circumcision ultimately be advocated as a public-health measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the results of the sub study of a randomized clinical trial in Kisumu, Kenya designed to evaluate the effect of adult male circumcision on sexual function, sexual pleasure and penile coital injuries. Sexually active men in the area, ages 18 to 24 years, were enrolled in a randomized, controlled trial of adult male circumcision. Based on the results, there was no difference in sexual function or sexual pleasure between circumcised and uncircumcised men and that circumcision does not affect male sexual function.