In a recent report from FH field staff in Kenya, one of the challenges listed to FH’s new Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision program was that every day, there was a long line of men waiting for the procedure–more men than the project could handle.
The World Health Organization reports that circumcision lowers by about 60 percent the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men, which is why the procedure has exploded in popularity in developing countries the past couple of years.
Earlier this year, FH began advocating this method of HIV prevention across Kenya, providing the surgery to more than 255 men. For men in remote communities with no way to access a health clinic, FH helped bring the clinic to them.
The program is spreading like a viral video on YouTube. By using peer-to-peer education, FH trains volunteers on the process and benefits of circumcision, those volunteers train others, who then train others, and the message spreads. FH uses this peer-to-peer method worldwide to quickly spread important messages like good hygiene, improved nutrition, and Biblical values.
60 percent is not 100 percent
One of the challenges with this program is to dispel myths surrounding HIV/AIDS–one of them being that this surgery is a vaccine. In reality, it is only 60 percent effective in lowering the chance of an HIV-negative man being infected by an HIV-positive woman.
As for the future, FH plans to expand its advocacy and services for Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision as part of FH’s larger HIV/AIDS strategy.
Related posts:
- FH staff rescue boy on the brink of suicide
- This week, in a special event in Kenya, dozens of men are taking a big step to protect themselves from HIV.
- WORLD AIDS DAY–More people than ever are living with HIV. Why is this GOOD news??
- Striving to help mothers give birth to an HIV-free generation
- Current facts about South Sudan on this historical day
