Efficacy of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision to Prevent HIV Infection Among Men Who Have Sex With Men : A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND

Observational studies suggest that voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) may lower HIV risk among men who have sex with men (MSM). A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is needed to confirm this.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of VMMC in preventing incident HIV infection among MSM.

DESIGN

An RCT with up to 12 months of follow-up. (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2000039436).

SETTING

8 cities in China.

PARTICIPANTS

Uncircumcised, HIV-seronegative men aged 18 to 49 years who self-reported predominantly practicing insertive anal intercourse and had 2 or more male sex partners in the past 6 months.

INTERVENTION: VMMC.

MEASUREMENTS: Rapid testing for HIV was done at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Behavioral questionnaires and other tests for sexually transmitted infections were done at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. The primary outcome was HIV seroconversion using an intention-to-treat analysis.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 124 men in the intervention group and 123 in the control group, who contributed 120.7 and 123.1 person-years of observation, respectively. There were 0 seroconversions in the intervention group (0 infections [95% CI, 0.0 to 3.1 infections] per 100 person-years) and 5 seroconversions in the control group (4.1 infections [CI, 1.3 to 9.5 infections] per 100 person-years). The HIV hazard ratio was 0.09 (CI, 0.00 to 0.81; P = 0.029), and the HIV incidence was lower in the intervention group (log-rank P = 0.025). The incidence rates of syphilis, herpes simplex virus type 2, and penile human papillomavirus were not statistically significantly different between the 2 groups. There was no evidence of HIV risk compensation.

LIMITATION: Few HIV seroconversions and limited follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

Among MSM who predominantly practice insertive anal intercourse, VMMC is efficacious in preventing incident HIV infection; MSM should be included in VMMC guidelines.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: The National Science and Technology Major Project of China.