Tohara < em > Plus < /em > Scales Up Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Services, Reaches 225,093 Men in First Year

Photo by Trevor Snapp for IntraHealth InternationalNovember 29, 2017In Tanzania, 225,093 men and boys have lowered their risk of contracting HIV after seeking out voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) services, provided by IntraHealth International ’s ToharaPlus project in its first year.About1.4 million Tanzanians live with HIV today. And officials estimate that each year, 55,000 more become infected and 33,000 die of AIDS-related causes. TheHIV prevalence among 15-49 year olds is 4.7%, and even higher among pregnant women (5.6%) and key populations (25-36%). Urban (7.2%) and rural (4.3%) prevalence rates also vary.Expanding access to VMMC services —which can reduce a man’s risk of acquiring HIV through heterosexual intercourse by 60% or more—is one of Tanzania’s key HIV-prevention strategies. The2015-2016 male circumcision rate nationally was 80%, and regional estimates ranged from 34%-99%.“VMMC services not only help prevent the spread of HIV, but also provide an opportunity to reach boys and men with critical health information and additional sexual and reproductive health services,” saysLucy Mphuru, IntraHealth ’s country director in Tanzania. “Since IntraHealth began expanding access to these services in 2011, we’ve helped the ministry reach more than 800,000 boys and men, including those we reached in the first year of ToharaPlus. ”Through the project, IntraHealth and our partner, the Tanzania Youth Alliance, are working with the Ministry of ...
Source: IntraHealth International - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Source Type: news