Friday, October 29, 2010
Circumcision and South African prisoners
The authorities in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province say they have been "overwhelmed" by the number of prisoners wanting to be circumcised to help combat the spread of HIV. Some studies suggest being circumcised can help men halve their chances of contracting the HIV/AIDS virus. KwaZulu-Natal has one of the highest HIV infection rates in South Africa. More than 5.7 million people in South Africa live with the HIV virus - more than in any other country. The Zulu king, Goodwill Zwelithini, recently lifted a traditional ban on circumcision, in a bid to fight HIV. It had been prohibited by King Shaka in the 19th Century because he said it robbed him of young warriors for months at a time.
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How many women are in prison with the men? Do those men realise the circumcision is only claimed to reduce the risk (somewhat) of infection from women*? And are condoms readily available? If not, this is going to greatly increase HIV transmission in prison - and make a lot of angry men.
*And its very doubtful that it does.
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