Circumcision significantly reduces the rate of HIV acquisition (~50%)  in men with HIV positive female partners and may offer some protective benefit for gay men having insertive-only anal sex. The reason for this is that the foreskin of the penis is rich in HIV- receptor cells, and that following sexual activity the foreskin may trap sexual secretions around the head of the penis allowing greater opportunity for infection to occur. Consistent condom use with HIV positive partners of partners of unknown status, rather than circumcision, is advocated as public health strategy in Australia.

Briefing paper: Male circumcision and HIV 9 February 2009 (PDF small file 3pp). Updated briefing on the efficacy of circumcision as an HIV prevention strategy and its relevance to the Australian epidemic.

Cutting it fine: Ethical issues in male circumcision, (Large file: PDF 3.86 MB) Bridget Haire's poster presentation at the IAS Conference, Sydney, July 2007.

Circumcision archive:

Briefing Paper: Male circumcision has no role in the Australian HIV epidemic (218 KB 2pp) 23 July 2007

The Kindest cut? Dr Darren Russell writes in HIV Australia Vol. 5 - No. 1 July - September 2005.

Last Updated 10 February 2009