HIV Prevention Efforts: Our Learning in Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda

HIV Prevention Efforts: Our Learning in Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda

Project Duration: Dec 1, 2008 to January 31, 2009

This award supported a fact finding visit to Rwanda, Ethiopia and Kenya to gather information about male circumcision as a means of HIV prevention. Activities in Rwanda included surgical exchange and demonstration of male circumcision (MC) methods, and meetings with staff and leadership. Several themes emerged: there is some awareness and uptake of MC for HIV prevention thanks to media and community coverage; cost in excess of 3000 francs ($6 CDN) was seen as an obstacle; “risk compensation” is a concern so that education is required to reinforce condom use, limitation of partner exchange and safe post-operative behaviour; pre-operative counseling of attached young men undergoing the procedure should involve the partner; logistics dictate that non-medical personnel must be trained to provide most procedures; and the Rwandese Ministry of Health has costed neonatal circumcision for the country. In Gambella, a pocket of Ethiopia with high HIV prevalence and low uptake of MC, local authorities are interested in developing a Ministry of Health-sanctioned plan to increase training and availability of MC. In Rwanda, the Ministry of Health will encourage MC in adolescents and young men.

For more updates subscribe to our monthly newsletter or follow us on social media!

No Comments

Add your comment