In Response to Increasing Rates of Heterosexually Transmitted HIV, Australia Should Encourage Circumcision in Infant Males HIV is believed to be widely spread by heterosexuality. HIV/AIDS article on Australia’s medical journal categorized male circumcision (removal of the prepuce or foreskin) among the potential ways of eradicating heterosexual transmitted HIV. [1] Other exerts concur with infants circumcision citing its medical benefits in preventing transmission heterosexual HIV. In this review, evidence showing the effectiveness of infant’s circumcision in controlling heterosexual transmitted HIV will be established.
Wodak was of the idea that, Australia should introduce policies encouraging infant male circumcision to counter the high rates of transmission of heterosexual HIV. The foreskin consists of a loosely fold skin cover with the outer and the inner layer linings enclosed with sensitive mucous membrane. This provides a moist environment where infections can survive longer He concluded that, the foreskin cells were vulnerable to infections. Therefore, he recommended circumcision as an essential approach to health and safe sex. [2] Removing the foreskin hardens the glan and it can not harbour infections any more.
Hopkins, Tobian and Gray highlighted the benefits of infant’s circumcision, and the consequences associated with its delay. [3] In infants, circumcision involves a minimal surgery. This assures less complications and lower cost of operation. Urinary track infections accelerate transmission of heterosexual HIV. A huge risk of urinary track infections is reduced by as much as 90 percent. [4] Since infants are not sexually active, circumcision does not alter their sex life in the future. Sexual satisfaction is enhanced due to improved hygiene.
Delaying circumcision hinders many parents decision on the long term health of their children especially on vaccination issues. In contrast to this, the foreskin is of vital use; first, it protects the glan. Second, it nervous system helps stimulates sexual desire. Third, it contains mucous which responsible for lubrication during intercourse thus minimising pain. Fourth, the foreskin mucous contains plasma cells which produce antibodies and pathogens which destroy enzymes such as lysosomes, and, fifth, the foreskin allows easy erection. In infants, the prepuce is not fully developed, and it is intact with the glan.
So, circumcision poses a great risk in growth and development. Mechanisms controlling the development of the brain may be greatly disrupted. This is as result of pain and stress experienced from the process. These effects may finally lead to emotional trauma as a result of long-lasting physiological brain changes[5] Infant circumcision inflicts permanent physical complications. Almost all the tissues are removed leaving a bigger wound which becomes a permanent scar on healing. Bigelow suggested that, erection problems are bound to happen in the future because the remaining skin is not enough to allow erection.
Infant’s circumcision is linked to premature or inability to ejaculate. This is due to the loss of prepuce receptors which stimulate ejaculation. Also, there is disrupted growth of sensory organ (somato-cortex) in the nervous system of the brain as Immerman and Mackey suggested. [7] This help to stimulate excitement during sex. Circumcision in infants stimulates much debate on both fronts. In control of heterosexual HIV, circumcision plays a major role (about 60 percent). Circumcising infants have proved less risk than in adults. Therefore, Australia should encourage this practice to fight transmission of heterosexual HIV.