Amsterdam 2015
Amsterdam 2015
Abstract book - Abstract - 2267
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Abstract #2267  -  Circumcision and TasP: Biomedical interventions
Session:
  27.4: Circumcision and TasP: Biomedical interventions (Parallel) on Thursday @ 11.30-13.00 in C001 Chaired by Catherine Adams,
Fraukje Mevissen

Authors:
  Presenting Author:   Dr Gavin George - HEARD, South Africa
 
  Additional Authors:   
Aim:
Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) is an integral part of the South African government’s response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic. Following circumcision, it is recommended that patients abstain from sexual activity for six weeks, as sex may increase the risk of female-to-male HIV transmission and prolong the healing period. This paper investigates the resumption of sexual activity during the healing period, among a cohort of school going adolescents in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.
 
Method / Issue:
A survey was undertaken amongst 321 male adolescents’ pre circumcision and six weeks after their circumcision. The study was undertaken between May 2012 and January 2013.
 
Results / Comments:
Approximately 43% (95% CI: 37.6-48.4) of the 321 respondents in this study had been sexually active prior to circumcision. Amongst the 138 sexually active respondents post circumcision, 29% (n=40) (95% CI: 21.4-36.6) had anal or vaginal sexual intercourse during the healing period. Those adolescents that engaged in sex during the healing period had on average two partners during this period and almost two thirds (64%) use condoms inconsistently. Adolescents that engaged in sexual activity during the healing period were more likely to consume alcohol (odds ratio 1.15, 95% CI .99-1.33) during the six week healing period than their counterparts who abstained.
 
Discussion:
The study is the first to focus on school going adolescents undergoing VMMC. It is accepted that adolescent boys are entering into a period of sexual exploration which in itself is a period of risk due to increased sexual activity. VMMC campaigns increasingly focus on school going adolescent males due to their accessibility. Campaigns must be cognisant of young boys who have started engaging in sexual activity to ensure that they are aware of the risks of early sexual resumption post circumcision. The benefits of MMC of decreasing the chances of contracting HIV for males has been extensively researched and verified. However, the engagement in risky sexual activities by newly circumcised males can erode the benefit of this procedure to them, whilst also placing their future sexual partners at risk of contracting HIV.
 
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