Evaluating VMMC impact in Kenya

Preliminary results of a modeling study suggest that Kenya’s success in circumcising 793,000 men and boys from 2008 to 2013 has averted almost 8,000 HIV infections so far and will have an even greater impact over time, researchers reported in the abstract of a presentation given at the 18th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA 2015). By 2050, the number of HIV infections prevented through voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) will climb to more than 100,000, or about eight male circumcisions per HIV infection averted, at a cost of less than $500 per infection averted. The authors conclude that VMMC will have a substantial impact on the HIV epidemic in Kenya in the areas where the programme is active and that the cost per infection averted is low compared to the costs of HIV treatment. A final report, with updated data, is expected in March 2016 (Abstract MOAC0205 in the "Making VMMC work" session, ICASA 2015 programme, 30 November 2015).