Independent Association of Hygiene, Socioeconomic Status, and Circumcision with Reduced Risk of HIV Infection Among Kenyan Men

• Source:

• Meier A et al. 2006. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 43 (1):117–118.

• URL:

• http://journals.lww.com/jaids/Fulltext/2006/09000/Independent_Association_of_Hygiene,_Socioeconomic.19.aspx

• Countries:

• Kenya

• Summary:

• Our study aimed to identify male and female risk factors (including genital hygiene practices) for bacterial vaginosis; in the course, we, unexpectedly, found male genital hygiene was associated with the man's risk of HIV infection. Because male HIV infection and male hygiene were found to be correlated with one another, we examined the relationship of five (5) hygiene variables with HIV infection in the men in a principal components analysis, controlling for socioeconomic status and other potential confounders. Assessing genital hygiene beliefs and practices in Kenyan men, we found male genital hygiene practices showed bathing genitalia immediately after sex was common, and this practice was associated with access to water, demonstrating the potential acceptability of such an intervention even in resource-poor settings.