Reference Zewdie K, Pickles M, Floyd S, Fidler S, Ayles H, Bock P, Hoddinott G, Mandla N, Shanaube K, Simwinga M, Fraser C, Seeley J, Piwowar-Manning E, Hayes R, Donnell D.. Uptake of medical male circumcision with household-based testing, and the association of traditional male circumcision and HIV infection. AIDS. 2023 PMC10023451
Abstract:
Objectives: Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) is an important component of combination HIV prevention. Inclusion of traditionally circumcised HIV negative men in VMMC uptake campaigns may be important if traditional male circumcision is less protective against HIV acquisition than VMMC.
Methods: We used data from the HPTN 071 (PopART) study. This cluster-randomized trial assessed the impact of a combination prevention package on population-level HIV incidence in 21 study communities in Zambia and South Africa.We evaluated uptake of VMMC, using a two-stage analysis approach and used discrete-time survival analysis to evaluate the association between the types of male circumcision and HIV incidence.
Results: 10,803 HIV-negative men with self-reported circumcision status were included in this study. At baseline, 56% reported being uncircumcised, 26% traditionally circumcised and 18% were medically circumcised. During the PopART intervention, 11% of uncircumcised men reported uptake of medical male circumcision. We found no significant difference in the uptake of VMMC in communities receiving the PopART intervention package and standard of care (adj rate ratio=1·10 (95% CI 0·82, 1·50, P = 0·48)). The rate of HIV acquisition for medically circumcised men was 70% lower than for those who were uncircumcised adjHR=0·30 (95% CI 0·16 to 0·55; p < 0·0001). There was no difference in rate of HIV acquisition for traditionally circumcised men compared to those uncircumcised adjHR= 0·84 (95% CI 0·54, 1·31; P = 0·45).
Conclusions: Household-based delivery of HIV testing followed by referral for medical male circumcision did not result in substantial VMMC uptake. Traditional circumcision is not associated with lower risk of HIV acquisition.