The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) will conduct a situation analysis to establish the magnitude of male circumcision in the country.

According to information received from the Ministry, the analysis to be conducted from next month is meant to assist the country in determining the prevalence of male circumcision in the population.

The analysis will also determine cultural and political attitudes towards male circumcision and the capability of existing medical services to deliver safe male circumcision services.

"Upon conclusion, the result of the analysis will make available country-specific information concerning basic issues important for making political and resource decisions as well as development of a national male circumcision service scale-up plan", it said.

The information shows that Lesotho is among countries in the world that faces the greatest HIV epidemic with an estimated prevalence rate of 23.2 and it therefore has a compelling urgency to develop and adapt multiple strategies that will contribute towards the reduction of HIV infection.

It adds that evidence from recent researches show that male circumcision is efficacious in reducing sexual transmission of HIV from females to males and Lesotho is amongst the countries that have developed a road map for scaling up male circumcision and situation analysis as one of the priority activities that need to be undertaken in the earlier phase.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has provided countries with 'Male Circumcision Situation Analysis Toolkit', which the National Male Circumcision Task Team has adapted and developed a research protocol.

Objectives of the protocol are to define and document the broad picture of the male circumcision situation in the country, to examine the attitude of people in Lesotho towards male circumcision, including ideas on increasing acceptability and to gather the opinion of leading influential people and stakeholders.

The purpose of the protocol is also to write and disseminate the country male circumcision situation report and enhance decision-making as well as to identify and map specific and existing service levels and need among district health facilities and staff in six selected districts.

The activities will be conducted in the districts of Maseru, Leribe, Mokhotlong, Quthing, Mafeteng and Thaba-Tseka while the remaining districts are to participate in the stakeholders meetings that will be held afterwards.

Source: LENA 19/02/2008