New law could hamper HIV prevention

HIV/AIDS experts in South Africa fear that a new law aimed at protecting young men from the health risks associated with traditional circumcision could weaken HIV prevention efforts.

The new legislation, part of the Children's Act expected to be finalised this year, bans circumcision of male children under the age of 16 except when performed for religious purposes or on recommendation of a medical practitioner.

The measure aims to curb the numerous deaths and injuries resulting from circumcisions performed at initiation schools in the country's Eastern Cape Province, but is at odds with recent research indicating that circumcision can reduce the rate of HIV infection among men by up to 65 percent.

Swaziland and Zambia have responded to the findings by offering discounted circumcisions, while the Botswana government now requires all mothers of newborn boys to be counselled on the potential health benefits of the operation.

South African officials say they will not make any policy changes until the study findings are confirmed by similar trials underway in Kenya and Uganda.