Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy of the PrePexTM Device for Rapid Scale up of Adult MC Programs in Zimbabwe

Models show that to have the highest impact on the HIV epidemic, circumcision of up to 80% of men in high prevalence countries, where MC rates are low, needs to be achieved (UNAIDS 2009; Manicaland HIV/STD Prevention Project, 2008; Bollinger, et al, 2009). Hallett and colleagues in 2008 showed that for Zimbabwe specifically, HIV incidence could be reduced between 25% to 35% if about 50% of men are circumcised. All modelings conducted show that MC programs must be part of a comprehensive HIV prevention package as MC alone will not tip the HIV epidemic into a terminal decline.

The PrePex Device offers hope for rapid scale up of adult male circumcision in resource limited settings.

Once the safety and efficacy have been established, it is important to conduct operations research to determine how best to implement both device and surgical circumcisions in the national program. Thus, the Zimbabwe MOHCW is planning a three phase trial in order to determine the safety of the PrePexTM device, its performance and the ease of use in an implementation roll out.

Inclusion criteria

• Ages 18 - 30 years
• Uncircumcised
• Wants to be circumcised
• Agrees to be circumcised by any of the study methods,PrePex or Surgical as appropriate
• HIV sero-negative
• Able to understand the study procedures and requirements
• Agrees to abstain from sexual intercourse and to keep caution not to directly rub the cut area if masturbating, for 8 weeks post removal (9 weeks total)
• Agrees to return to the health care facility for follow-up visits (or as instructed) after his circumcision for a period of 8 weeks post removal (9 weeks total)
• Subject able to comprehend and freely give informed consent for participation in this study and is considered by the investigator to have good compliance for the study
• Subject agrees to anonymous video and photographs of the procedure and follow up visits
• Agrees to stay overnight at the Hospital in order to follow pain measurements in the first 16 hours

Exclusion criteria

• Active genital infection, anatomic abnormality or other condition, which in the opinion of the investigator prevents the subject from undergoing a circumcision
• HIV sero-positive
• Subject with the following diseases/conditions: phimosis, paraphimosis, warts under the prepuce, torn or tight frenulum, narrow prepuce, hypospadias, epispadias
• Known bleeding / coagulation abnormality
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Subject that to the opinion of the investigator is not a good candidate
• Subject does not agree to anonymous video and photographs of the procedure and follow up visits
• Refusal to take HIV test.