How do you circumcise a nation? The Rwandan case study

BMC Med. 2014 Oct 6:12:184. doi: 10.1186/s12916-014-0184-4.

Abstract

Voluntary medical male circumcision has been conclusively demonstrated to reduce the lifetime risk of male acquisition of HIV. The strategy has been adopted as a component of a comprehensive strategy towards achieving an AIDS-free generation. A number of countries in which prevalence of HIV is high and circumcision is low have been identified as a priority, where innovative approaches to scale-up are currently being explored. Rwanda, as one of the priority countries, has faced a number of challenges to successful scale-up. We discuss here how simplifications in the procedure, addressing a lack of healthcare infrastructure and mobilizing resources, and engaging communities of both men and women have permitted Rwanda to move forward with more optimism in its scale-up tactics. Examples from Rwanda are used to highlight how these barriers can and should be addressed.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Circumcision, Male / statistics & numerical data*
  • Delivery of Health Care / organization & administration*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Rwanda / epidemiology