Walter Menya and Maurice Kaluoch
13 October 2008
Nairobi — Medics in Nyanza have changed tact in the new drive on male circumcision among the Luo community.
On Monday, provincial director of medical services Dr Ojwang Lusi said the new strategy dubbed Male Circumcision Plus would involve thorough counselling and education.
It would also emphasise on the need to stick to the ABC of HIV and Aids, namely, abstinence, being faithful and correct and consistent condom use, after the cut.
"Male circumcision like any other surgical procedure requires consent from the person and now with the HIV question involved, we have to counsel our clients," said Dr Lusi.
The medic was reacting to a case in Siaya last week in which a man circumcised himself at home with a kitchen knife. The man who was said to be drunk at the time was taken to the district hospital.
At the Siaya district hospital, the doctor in charge of the male circumcision division Jackton Omoto said such cases of people going to the extreme to get the cut couldn't be ruled out.
In Homa Bay, medical personnel expressed concern on the new challenges.
Those who spoke on condition of anonymity said they had received reports that in their bid to have the wounds heal faster, some men are using cheap baby powders and capsules.
Most of the infections are as a result of premature indulgence in sex before the genitals are fully healed.
Voluntary
Meanwhile, Assistant minister Orwa Ojode at the weekend said male circumcision among the Luo youth should be approached with a lot of sobriety.
Speaking in his Constituency, Ojode of Internal Security and Provincial Administration said youths should go for the cut voluntarily.
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The most significant study findings relevant to reducing risk of HIV infections among Luo men were published in the authoritative "Journal of AIDS" in September of 2006.
The most distinguished expert on sexually transmitted infections including HIV among its authors is Professor King K. Holmes, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Washington in the U.S.A.
This study of protective practices including circumcision and post-sex washing drew its study sample from Kibera, a slum heavily populated by Luo men in Nairobi.
It found that the post-sex washing traditionally practiced by these uncircumcised men helped prevent them from getting HIV infections.