The effects of male circumcision on female partner's genital tract symptoms and vaginal infections in a randomized trial in Rakai, Uganda

Abstract

Objective—To assess effects of male circumcision on female genital symptoms, and vaginal infections. Methods—HIV-negative men enrolled in a trial were randomized to immediate or delayed circumcision (control arm). Genital symptoms, BV and trichomonas were assessed in HIV-negative wives of married participants. Adjusted prevalence risk ratios (adjPRR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were assessed by multivariable log-binomial regression, intent-to-treat analyses. Results—783 wives of control and 825 wives of intervention arm men were comparable at enrollment. BV at enrollment was higher in control (38.3%) than intervention arm spouses (30.5%, p=0.001). At one year follow up, intervention arm wives reported lower rates of genital ulceration (adjPRR 0.78, 95%CI 0.63–0.97), but there were no differences in vaginal discharge or dysuria. The risk of trichomonas was reduced in intervention arm wives (adjPRR 0.52, 95%CI 0.05–0.98), as were the risks of any BV (adjPRR 0.60, 95%CI 0.38–0.94) and severe BV (PRR = 0.39, 95%CI 0.24– 0.64). Conclusions—Male circumcision reduces the risk of ulceration, trichomonas and BV in female partners.