Kenyan medical researchers have launched a study on the use of devices that could revolutionize the amount of time, labor and money involved in male circumcision procedure. The study on the use of the Prepex device was launched on Friday in Kenya's lakeside city of Kisumu and target over 425 clients for the four month duration of the study.
Kenya Deputy Director for National Aids Control Program (NASCOP) Peter Cherutich said the new device has been tested and proven safe in other countries including Rwanda but due to its limited acceptance Kenya will carry out another study on its efficacy as the efficacy of the device vary from country to country
The study on the Prepex device by the University of Illinois and Manitoba, UNIM, funded by Bill and Melinda gates to a tune of 250,000 U.S. dollars will be conducted in two district of western Kenya region Rachuonyo and Kisumu districts for four months on 425 candidates who have been identified.
The PrePex Device developed in Israel uses two rings and an applicator to restrict blood supply to the foreskin, which is removed, together with the device, after seven days. This method requires no anaesthesia unlike the Shang Ring. Kenyan has joined Rwanda and Zimbabwe in studying the efficacy and safety of the device.
June Odoyo and Paul Feldbum who are lead investigators in the study said the Prepex could revolutionize circumcision and ultimate goal to reduce new HIV infection. "It is the most cheapest and costly method that can be used in Africa where medical care are not clinic based, You don't need a sterile environment, you don't need anaesthetic, you don't need to use an operating theatre," Odoyo said.
"It does not need highly trained medical personnel, and can be conducted in a clean consultation room with a bed, In Africa, where we lack medical facilities, I believe Prepex is the best method," said Feldbum.
Although cost-effectiveness of the method is yet to be ascertained Cherutich said the elimination of factors such as anaesthetic and highly trained staff meant it was likely the method would be cheaper surgical methods.
"Three or four hours after circumcision, a man can be back at work," she said. "This means that the economy does not suffer because men have taken several days off work to heal."
Kenya plans to use Male circumcision as a HIV prevention strategy and planned to circumcise 1.2 million by the end this year. WHO and UNAIDS recommend the inclusion of voluntary medical male circumcision in HIV prevention programs.
While surgical male circumcision remains the preferred method of most national male circumcision programs in sub-Saharan Africa, a few countries - including Kenya and South Africa - have piloted the use of different clamps for adult male circumcision.
WHO has approved the use of three different devices -- the Mogen clamp, the Gomco clamp and the Plastibell -- but only for infant circumcision with some under investigation.