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EAST AFRICA: Research into effects of circumcision on AIDS continues

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

JOHANNESBURG, 29 June (PLUSNEWS) - Researchers have decided against halting research into the effects of male circumcision on HIV transmission in Kenya and Uganda.

The United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) panel, which is overseeing the studies, examined preliminary results and found there was no reason to stop the project, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

AIDS experts were hoping for a repeat of what took place last year when a South African clinical trial found that slicing off a man's foreskin appears to reduce his chances of contracting HIV by up to 65 percent. The difference was so noticeable that the study was stopped early, because it was considered unethical not to offer the uncircumcised men in the control group the chance of having the operation.

The Kenyan project involves 3,000 previously uncircumcised, HIV-negative men, half of whom underwent circumcision for the study. In September 2007, the scientists will count the number of men in both groups who have contracted HIV.

The Ugandan study, which involves 5,000 men and is being led by researchers from Columbia University and Johns Hopkins University, is scheduled to be completed in July 2007.

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