Keywords
Citation
(2010), "South Africa - South Africa Zulus to revive circumcision to fight AIDS", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 23 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijhcqa.2010.06223cab.010
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
South Africa - South Africa Zulus to revive circumcision to fight AIDS
Article Type: News and views From: International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Volume 23, Issue 3
Keywords: AIDS prevention, AIDS healthcare policy, Male circumcision practice, South Africa
King Goodwill Zwelithini’s region is one of the worst-affected by Aids. The king of South Africa’s Zulus has proposed reintroducing circumcision – formerly practised as a ritual by Zulus – to help fight the spread of HIV/AIDS.
The authorities are reportedly in talks with King Goodwill Zwelithini on how to bring back the practice. It was banned by King Shaka in the nineteenth century because he said it robbed him of young warriors for months at a time.
Some studies suggest circumcising men can halve their chances of contracting the Aids virus. However, experts stress that the best way to avoid becoming infected with HIV during sexual encounters is to use condoms.
Overall more than five million South Africans are infected with HIV – the highest number of infections for a single country.
President Jacob Zuma recently announced major changes to the AIDS policy which have been welcome by society and AIDS activists.
Facts about AIDS in South Africa are: there are 5.2 million people with HIV; 17 per cent of people aged 15-49 are HIV-positive; 1.5m adults needed AIDS drugs in 2009; 106,000 children under 15 need ARVs; there were 413,000 new infections in 2009; and of these new infections 59,000 are children (source: Statistics South Africa).
Kwa-Zulu Natal’s regional head Zweli Mkhize welcomed the king’s call. “Circumcision will assist in the fight against the pandemic, although on its own does not prevent the spread of sexual transmitted diseases”, Sapa news agency quoted him as saying.
AFP news agency reported that the authorities in KwaZulu-Natal were in talks with the king about the practicalities of reintroducing circumcision.
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