According to the World Health Organization (WHO), global estimates in 2006 suggest that approximately 30% of males – or approximately 665 million men – are circumcised. Many who elect this procedure are influenced by ethnicity, religion, a desire to conform to socio-cultural norms, and the perceived health and sexual benefits.

In March 2007, the WHO and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), published data that concluded male circumcision is an effective intervention for HIV prevention (Download complete publication here). It reviewed the results of 3 randomized controlled trials and recommended that "male circumcision should be recognized as an additional, important strategy for the prevention of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men."

The publication also recommended "simpler and safer methods for performing male circumcision in resource-limited settings, including the use of suture-less, blood-free procedures and devices, need to be developed and assessed."

Click here for additional summaries on the health benefits of male circumcision.