| dc.description.abstract | Background: Evidence for efficacy of male circumcision as an
HIV prevention measure is increasing, but there is serious concern
that men who are circumcised may subsequently adopt more risky
sexual behaviors.
Methods: Using a prospective cohort study, we compared sexual
behaviorsof324recentlycircumcisedand324uncircumcisedmenat
1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after circumcision/study enrollment. The
main outcome indicators were incidence of sexual behaviors known
to place men at increased risk of acquiring HIV, namely, having sex
with partners other than their wife/wives for married men or other
than ‘‘regular’’ girlfriends for unmarried men.
Results: During the first month following circumcision, men were
63%and61%lesslikelytoreporthaving0to0.5and.0.5riskysex
acts/week, respectively,than menwhoremained uncircumcised. This
difference disappeared during the remainder of follow-up, with no
excess of reported risky sex acts among circumcised men. Similar
resultswere observed for riskyunprotected sex acts, number of risky
sex partners, and condom use.
Discussion: During the first year postcircumcision, men did not
engage in more risky sexual behaviors than uncircumcised men,
suggesting that any protective effect of male circumcision on HIV
acquisition is unlikely to be offset by an adverse behavioral impact. | en |
