Male circumcision 'promising tool' to reduce HIV

Circumcising men has been described by experts as one of the most promising methods of reducing new cases of HIV infections.

A new website backed by leading health organisations around the world has been launched in order to raise awareness and act as a resource for this area of HIV prevention.

It is called Clearinghouse and has been initiated by the World Health Organisation, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition and Family Health International (FHI).

Al Siemens, chief executive of FHI, said: "Circumcising men is among the most promising public health tools to reduce new HIV infections in areas most affected by the epidemic."

AVAC Executive Director Mitchell Warren added: "To optimise the benefits of male circumcision for HIV prevention, advocates, activists, community, and grassroots organisations need to be involved every step of the way."

The 16th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections was held in Montreal earlier this month.

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