HIV research led by University of Manitoba’s own medical microbiology professor Stephen Moses has taken centre stage in the world of health research.
Moses’ findings — that circumcision among men who participate in heterosexual sex greatly reduces their risk of contracting HIV — has been named one of the Top Canadian Achievements in Health Research by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).
Being one of only eight to receive such an honor within Canada, Moses’ project has undoubtedly taken great strides in advancing our knowledge of the deadly infection.
Although circumcision has been suspected to be a method of HIV prevention in the past, Moses’ randomized clinical trials produced conclusive experimental evidence to support the claim.
Originally staged in 2001 in Kenya, a region where HIV infections spread rapidly, Moses spearheaded the project with the aid of partners in the United States and Kenya. Ongoing for five years, the project involved over 2,700 men and produced results clearly showing that those circumcised had a 50 per cent less chance of acquiring HIV when having heterosexual intercourse.
In an article on the U of M website, Moses said the results of the trial will be of most use in areas such as eastern and southern Africa, where HIV infection rates are sky high, and male circumcision rates, along with means of preventing HIV in general, remain exceptionally low.
In these areas, it has been estimated that 19 circumcisions could save one person from an HIV infection, and over the span of 20 years, 7.7 million HIV infections and 3 million AIDS deaths could be avoided.
Moses’ successful investigation and the implications that accompany it have already opened doors to improved health for citizens in these regions.
His discovery has encouraged the World Health Organization, along with the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAID), to publicly support male circumcision as an accepted means of HIV prevention.
In turn, this has influenced many countries to follow suit and look to circumcision as a safe-guarding measure. After a number of years, an enormous 67 per cent reduction in HIV infections could be witnessed among the general public in such areas.
Aside from improving the health and well being of citizens, increasing male circumcisions to effectively decrease the number of HIV infections would also lower government costs for HIV health care. Moses’ research will lead not only to saving lives, but could deliver an extra boost to the economy as well.
“Not only has Dr. Moses improved our understanding of this disease, but these findings have already been put into action, and have encouraged many countries in eastern and southern Africa to increase male circumcision services in their battle against HIV and AIDS,” said Dr. Digvir Jayas, vice-president of research at U of M, in an article from the university.
With such compelling evidence behind his findings and positive effects already unfolding, it’s no wonder why Moses’ work has been deemed such an important milestone in the development of health research.
