According to statistics just over half of South African men voluntarily undergo circumcision; 50% of them as part of traditional initiation ceremonies. The recent circumcision-related deaths of about 30 young men shocked the country and ignited a fresh debate about the controversies surrounding this procedure.

Why circumcise?

Circumcision, the partial or complete removal of the penis’s foreskin, is a social, religious and cultural practice highly regarded by various people groups in the world. In some instances baby boys are circumcised within the first few days of their lives while others such, as certain African groups in South Africa, see it as a kind of spiritual rite of passage into adulthood. During the winter months the initiates, aged 10 to15, are usually taken into isolated areas in the bush where they take part in various initiation ceremonies including circumcision performed by traditional healers. Unfortunately, the latter rarely have any medical background. The unacceptably high rate of deaths resulting from this practice has prompted calls for more stringent health interventions and a safe and simple solution for these non-medical practitioners to keep on performing circumcisions.

Despite these unfortunate deaths and the arguments of various anti-circumcision groups, most doctors agree that recent scientific evidence proves that the benefits of circumcision far outweigh the risks!

Benefits of circumcision

According to past and present scientific evidence circumcision holds the following benefits:

    • It prevents infection. The area under the foreskin offers an ideal habitat for bacteria to collect and cause infections in both the male and his sex partner. Unfortunately the foreskin also houses many immune system cells that are vulnerable to infection by viruses such as the HI virus that causes Aids as well as the herpes virus. Also, once the foreskin is removed the skin around the penis thickens and becomes stronger and therefore not so susceptible to little tears and cuts, the gateway that admits entrance to viruses and germs
    • It rarely causes complications when performed by trained medical practitioners
    • It doesn’t affect sexual performance or pleasure
    • It can reduce medical costs. Scientists predict that when circumcision rates drop urinary tract and other infection rates such as HIV/Aids rise alarmingly, causing medical costs to soar.

Medical male circumcisions

In 2010 the South African Department of Health embarked on a medical male circumcision campaign. Their aim: to medically circumcise 80% of men between the ages of 15 to 49 (4.3 million men) by the end of 2016. The reasoning behind this step was that according to studies, five male circumcisions were needed to prevent one case of HIV infection and that the complete surgical removal of the penis’s foreskin could reduce a heterosexual male’s chances of infection with up to 60%, thus averting more than 20% of new HIV infections by 2025.

Non-surgical male circumcisions

Rwanda was the first African state to introduce and use a non-surgical male circumcision device that seems to be working quite well. The South African Government is apparently studying the situation with an eye to implementing something similar. Apparently these devices might even provide a safe alternative to use during traditional circumcision ceremonies.

Right to choose

Medical practitioners are adamant that the benefits of circumcision for both baby boys and older males by far outweigh the risks. They recommend and advise parents to feel free but not pressurised to have their boys circumcised and point out that they base their recommendations on medical research and facts. They urge parents to make a thoughtful but informed decision about this controversial matter.

 

Sources
Fox, M. 2012. Circumcision benefits outweigh risks, but parents should choose, paediatricians say. Retrieved from: http://www.nbcnews.com/health/circumcision-benefits-outweigh-risks-parents-should-choose-pediatricians-say-965898
33 men die in South African circumcision ceremonies. 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/10073918/33-men-die-in-South-African-circumcision-ceremonies.html
Malan, M. 2013. PrePex will save many lives in SA-with traditional leaders’ help. Retrieved from: http://mg.co.za/article/2013-06-18-prepex-will-save-many-lives-in-sa-with-traditional-leaders-help
Van Wyk, C. South Africa: Zuma expresses outrage at circumcision related deaths. Retrieved from: http://www.theafricareport.com/Health/south-africa-zuma-expresses-outrage-at-circumcision-related-deaths.html