Male circumcision and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis and Trichomonas vaginalis: observations after a randomised controlled trial for HIV prevention
2009

Male Circumcision and Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sample size: 1767 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Sobngwi–Tambekou J, Taljaard D, Nieuwoudt M, Lissouba P, Puren A, Auvert B

Primary Institution: INSERM U687, Hôpital Paul Brousse, Villejuif, France

Hypothesis

Does male circumcision reduce the prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis?

Conclusion

Male circumcision reduces T vaginalis infection among men, which also lowers the risk for women with circumcised partners.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study found no protective effect of male circumcision on Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
  • There was a borderline association between male circumcision and Chlamydia trachomatis.
  • The protective effect of male circumcision on T vaginalis became significant in the as-treated analysis.

Takeaway

Getting circumcised can help men avoid a common infection called Trichomonas, which can also make women sick.

Methodology

Data from a randomized controlled trial in South Africa was analyzed, focusing on urine samples from men aged 18-24.

Potential Biases

Differences in sexual behavior and HIV prevalence between those tested and those not tested may have affected results.

Limitations

Biological samples were not collected throughout the follow-up period, and the study may have introduced bias due to differences between tested and non-tested participants.

Participant Demographics

Men aged 18-24 years, with a mix of ethnic backgrounds.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p=0.030

Confidence Interval

95% CI 0.25 to 0.92

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1136/sti.2008.032334

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