Circumcision Status and HIV Infection Among MSM in the U.S.

Circumcision can reduce the risk for heterosexually acquired HIV infection (ACC Mar 19 2007), but does it have similar benefits in men who have sex with men (MSM)? To explore this possibility, researchers conducted a cross-sectional study among 1079 black MSM and 957 Latino MSM in three U.S. cities. Participants underwent HIV testing and provided information about demographic factors, high-risk behaviors, and circumcision status.

Seventy-four percent of black MSM reported being circumcised, compared with 33% of Latino MSM (P<0.0001). In both groups, circumcised men were more likely than uncircumcised men to be U.S.-born or to have U.S.-born parents. Among blacks, circumcised men were more likely to self-identify as gay (vs. bisexual or heter…