**5. Circumcision/sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) &HIV**

Donovan et al. in 1994,stated that the uncircumcised penis is hypothetically at increased risk of STDs especially-genital herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, candidiasis and chancroid due to larger surface area, thinner epidermal barrier, more liability for epithelial microtrauma and the moist warm neck under the foreskin favoring the persistence of fastidious microorganisms. However, none of these hypotheses has been proven. Moses et al. in 1994, in eighteen cross sectional studies from six countries reported a statistically significant association between male circumcision and the risk for HIV infection. Male circumcision should be considered as an essential strategy for AIDscontrol (Tyndall et al., 1996). Caldwell in 1996 reported that in parts of subsaharan Africa, nearly 25% of the population is HIV positive as a result of heterosexual transmission of the virus. Lack of circumcision makes men in this region particularly susceptible. Taylor and Rodin in 1975, reported that there was a positive relationship between lack of circumcision and genital herpes simplex virus infection (HSV). Simonsen et al. in 1988, reported that in a controlled study of Human Immunodeficiency Disease (HIV), they found that men who were uncircumcised were 2.5 times more likely to have HIV infection.

Merits and Arguments Related to Circumcision 47

The third week is the best time for circumcision because pain is minimal, bleeding is minimal, wound healing is perfect, and the risk of infection and psychological effects are minimal because the blood is still loaded with maternal antibodies with the near sterility of

If it is confirmed that the uncircumcised male neonate is at a higher risk of serious urinary tract infection than the circumcised one and therefore, the operation should be done shortly

Jewish ritual of circumcision on the eighth day is known to be more effective prophylaxis

However, operations performed at adolescence or later in life are completely attended with

In Muslim areas, circumcision is usually performed in the first few months of life. In

Also, circumcision can be done in the first day of life provided no hypospadius, bleeding

It confers beauty: It is difficult to evaluate the consideration of beauty since these are subjective. In cultures where circumcision is norm, young women find the uncircumcised penis radiculously ugly. Young ladies refuse intercourse without wearing an appropriate

It promotes health: through the prevention of venereal diseases, cancer of the penis and cervix uteri. Hutchinsons in 1891, the greatest syphilologist suggested that, the presence of the foreskin constitutes a constant source of irritation leading to high risk of syphilis in early

In some countries, insurance excluded infants under the age of 15 years. The reason was that the money used to pay for the possible unnecessary circumcisions would cover much of the cost of emerging neonatal and premature intensive care units. Circumcision is done when the boy is more than one day old and after he has been checked for bleeding tendency

There are children who are brought in by their parents for circumcision for ethnic or social

On the other hand, the risk cost- effectiveness and medical resources should probably be allocated to health measures of demonstrated value. Laumann et al. in 1997, in The National Health and Social life survey, indicated that there are no significant differences between

circumcised and uncircumcised men in contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

life and cancer in the aged. Penile cancer is never seen in a Jew and chancres are rare.

Circumcision can be done at any later healthy period preferably before school age.

than procedures performed at the age between 4-14 years (Blandy, 1968).

**10. Different opinions & arguments in neonatal circumcision**

It is a custom: The most important, arguments are those of custom and tradition.

Uganda and similarly in Kenya, circumcision age is 12-20 years.

undesirable erections, protracted healing and infection (Arnaout et al., 1962).

**9. The optimum age for circumcision** 

the skin of the neonate.

tendency or intersex is present.

brooch through his penis.

(Blandy et al, in 1968).

reasons (Shanon et al., 1979).

after birth.
