UNCIRCUMCISED MEN HAVE A HIGHER HIV RISK.

Several studies from Africa have shown that being uncircumcised is a risk factor for acquiring HIV infection in heterosexual males. This report shows that it is also a risk factor in homosexual males in the U.S.

Risk factors for HIV infection were assessed by questionnaire for 316 HIV-seropositive and 186 seronegative homosexual men in Seattle. Nineteen percent of the HIV- positive men were uncircumcised, as compared with 10 percent of the HIV-negative men. The odds ratio for HIV infection of 2.2 among uncircumcised men was significant. After adjustment for other risk factors such as race, number of male partners, intravenous drug use, and history of syphilis, uncircumcised men still had a doubled risk of acquiring HIV. The authors estimate …