Estimating the Resources Needed and Savings from Adult Male Circumcision in Sub-Saharan Africa
Author Information
Author(s): Bertran Auvert, Elliot Marseille, Eline L. Korenromp, James Lloyd-Smith, Remi Sitta, Dirk Taljaard, Carel Pretorius, Brian Williams, James G. Kahn
Primary Institution: Hopital Paul Brousse, INSERM U687, Villejuif, France
Hypothesis
What are the financial and human resources required to roll out medical adult male circumcision (MAMC) in sub-Saharan Africa, and what are the anticipated savings from reduced HIV infections?
Conclusion
A rapid roll-out of MAMC in sub-Saharan Africa requires substantial funding and a high number of circumcisers for the first five years, but these investments are justified by significant health benefits and savings from averted HIV infections.
Supporting Evidence
- Medical adult male circumcision (MAMC) can reduce the risk of HIV by 60%.
- Over 20 years, MAMC could avert 2 to 8 million HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa.
- The estimated 5-year cost of rolling out MAMC in the public sector was $919 million.
- Net savings of $2.3 billion are expected over 20 years due to averted HIV treatments.
- 2,282 circumcisers will be needed in the first 5 years to achieve the desired circumcision rates.
Takeaway
This study shows that if many men in Africa get circumcised, it can help prevent a lot of HIV infections and save money in the long run.
Methodology
A cost model integrated with demographic and HIV epidemic models was developed to estimate the resources needed for MAMC in 16 settings in sub-Saharan Africa.
Limitations
The assumptions about circumciser productivity and the acceptance rate of circumcision may be optimistic, and the model does not account for indirect effects of circumcision on HIV transmission.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on 16 countries in sub-Saharan Africa with low male circumcision prevalence and high HIV prevalence.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% PI: 2,018 to 2,959
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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