The time has come for common ground on preventing sexual transmission of HIV

Why circumcision is a biomedical imperative for the 21stcentury

“…(25) Cost-effectiveness estimates are, moreover, substantial. (25,26) Although condoms reduce risk by 80-90% when always used, (27) they are not infallible, nor used universally, and do not protect during foreplay when the inner prepuce may come into contact with infected fluids. Circumcision in contrast is once only, so does not need to be applied each time sex is contemplated, is permanent, and when coupled with condom use should virtually guarantee complete protection from infection by HIV.…”

Demographic and health surveys indicate limited impact of condoms and HIV testing in four African countries

“…These results should not be used to argue against making condoms available or against promoting condoms where there is evidence that they may be especially impactful, such as in commercial sex, for men who have sex with men, or in other known settings of high sexual risk. However, these results do provide additional evidence for the growing consensus that widespread condom promotion in generalised heterosexual epidemics should not be a high priority for prevention resources, and that condom promotion should be targeted and emphasise the importance of consistent use (Halperin et al 2004, Potts et al 2008, Hearst et al 2012.…”

Creating a space for young women's voices: using ‘participatory video drama’ in Uganda

“…There is a considerable body of research exploring prevention of STIs/HIV amongst young people, with risk avoidance and reduction being the traditional cornerstones of public health initiatives (Halperin et al 2004;WHO 2006). Yet there is scope for improvement in current approaches to prevention given the complex nature of the problem, "[T]he social, cultural, economic, political, ethnic, gender and environmental factors are just as important as the biological factors when attempting to find solutions or devise strategies to combat disease."…”