adminCatherine Murombedzi
SEXUALLY transmitted infections can be curbed if only people use the protective measures that are on offer. It is sad that clinics and hospitals continue to record an upward trend in sexually transmitted infections when one could have been faithful to an uninfected partner or could have used protection in the form of a condom.
The upcoming conference on sexually transmitted infections in Africa (ICASA) which will run from November 29 to December 4 intends to halt sexually transmitted infections as this is possible.
Raymond Yekeye who is operations director at National Aids Council and also head of ICASA secretariat, speaking in an interview on national television, said Zimbabwe stands to gain a lot from hosting of ICASA from the health aspect right up to financial gain in the hospitality and arts industry.
“The nation stands to gain from the hosting of ICASA as this will enhance our health aspect and also boost the hotel and linked industries down the stream. Science and medicine will bring new information and for those not able to attend they can visit the site to be able to access the information.
“Great strides have been taken and trials to have a vaccine are being carried out, so this conference brings together all those people to brainstorm and tell the world where we stand today in curbing new HIV infections. The only man to have been in remission from HIV is coming too and that is great news for the media as a whole,” said Mr Yekeye.
It has since been discovered that not enough males have been circumcised and the programme which has full funding is lagging behind as not all men have taken to the knife. It could be cultural aspects but maybe the messaging needs to be revisited and packaged correctly in order to attract more entrants to this noble HIV intervention programme.
Male circumcision is still an integral part in curbing the spread of new HIV infections.
When soldiers engage in war, bullet proof vests are part of the combat gear. That is not to say that a soldier wearing a bullet proof vest will not be shot and killed in combat, nothing could be further from the truth. Research has shown that the chances of sustaining a shot in the chest are higher as compared to a bullet hitting any other part of the body and in the absence of such protection such shot could prove to be fatal.
If one is hit in the head, then the bullet proof vest ceases to be of any use. So in combat, a sniper will even aim below the belt, in the abdomen and such injuries can still be fatal. Despite the fatality of shots in any other parts of the body, it does not take away the importance of a bullet proof vest in combat.
Male circumcision like a bullet proof vest offers some cover – a greater percentage, but not 100 percent.
In studies carried out it was proven that medical male circumcision offered a 60 percent higher protection from HIV infection.
For one to then undergo the procedure and think they have full cover from infection is misguided.
Why medical circumcision, one is bound to ask? Traditionally in Zimbabwe there have been tribes that have practiced circumcision for ages and these being the Tshangani and the Remba as part of a rite of passage from boyhood into manhood.
In these procedures, women stay far from the camps only coming in to provide domestic chores, as only circumcised men were allowed to be part of the initiation. A long standing and invaluable practice indeed as seen by the lower prevalence rate of HIV in such communities as compared to their non circumcising counterparts.
This shows that if circumcision was not handled as a bridge to misbehave, but rather removed real men from the boys. It came with a responsibility as they camped in winter and were taught the importance of the rite.
Southern Africa is the epicentre of the HIV epidemic and one is bound to ask why that region. It could be attributed to some practices e.g. polygamy, early marriages, forced marriages and even to some extend the region condones in a way extra marital affairs. It is common knowledge to see a man with a legal wife having three or even four mistresses who are commonly referred to as “small houses”.
North Africa has a low HIV prevalence because their religion does not condone promiscuity.
East African men (Tanzania) in one of the regional workshops were surprised that a married man would have extra “wives” we call small houses. They failed to understand how that would work. So by virtue of Southern Africa not conforming to the one men one wife union, it is not surprising that the region suffers a heavy burden of the HIV scourge.
So as seen male circumcision offering 60 percent protection like a bullet proof vest there still is a 40 percent chance that is not covered and should be of concern.
The country’s goal is to reach 80 percent of 15 to 29-year-old men by end of this year as part of HIV prevention programme through male medical circumcision.
No life has been lost through the medical male circumcision. In the traditional way, a mother bringing food to the collection centre would know that her son had died on bringing the evening meal and finding the early meal untouched. It was sad as bleeding was the main cause of death. But today, Government has partnered the traditionally circumcising tribes and there have been no loss of life.
Male circumcision reduces an individual’s biological susceptibility to heterosexually acquired infection.
Male circumcision is to be implemented as part of a comprehensive package of HIV prevention interventions in countries with high HIV prevalence. Male circumcision also prevents other STIs, including chancroid, syphilis, human pappiloma virus (HPV).
HPV is the virus responsible for causing cervical cancer in women. So the benefits of male circumcision cut across as they offer protection to the female too. So it could be said that MC reduces the chances of getting cervical cancer in the female partner. In infants the procedure reduces urinary tract infections (in infants) so neo-natal MC is also an added advantage. Population Services International is supporting the male circumcision programme in Zimbabwe.
In Masvingo Province, PSI supports four out of seven districts namely Masvingo, Chivi, Chiredzi and Mwenezi. In the first quarter of 2014, PSI did the procedure on 680 out of a target of 1 500, this was a 45 percent target reached said a report by PSI. In the second quarter 1 500 men went under the knife out of 1 324 males, showing that the target was surpassed.
The third quarter targeted 3 900 men and the fourth quarter targeted 2 600 men.
PSI is pleased to announce that not only the target group is able to be attended on the national programme. This group was targeted as they are on the debut of sexual activity at 15 and are on the peak up to 29. Any other males regardless of age are welcome.
Online Reporter