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DUT Clinic Reinforces HIV Prevention Campaign

DUT Clinic Reinforces HIV Prevention Campaign

Five years ago, a study conducted by the Higher Education HIV/AIDS Program (HEAIDS) showed that the HIV prevalence among students in KwaZulu-Natal universities is 4.1 percent amongst males and 7.8 percent amongst females.

The Durban University of Technology, in an effort to decrease the risk of HIV infection amongst its students, became the first higher education institution in the province to introduce Medical Male Circumcision (MMC) on campus. This was introduced in 2010 as a way of encouraging voluntary MMC for the benefit of male students.

In March this year (2013), 25 male students at DUT went under the knife when DUT partnered with MatCH (Maternal, Adolescent and Child Health) and St Aidan’s Hospital in an MMC drive. Last week, during AIDS Week which was hosted by the DUT HIV/AIDS Centre, the DUT Isolempilo Campus Clinic, in conjunction with its afore mentioned partners, embarked on another MMC drive.

MMC not only reduces a man’s risk of contracting HIV by 60 percent, it also protects against penile and cervical cancer. Although these are the benefits, the Clinic always stresses the importance of using a condom when having sex.

Lynette Chetty, Senior Nurse and MMC Coordinator at the Isolempilo Health Campus Clinic said the second drive proved a significance number of students were interested in the campaign.

“Many students attended the MMC campaign and medical male circumcision was performed at the campus health clinic,” said Chetty. She said in collaboration with the DUT HIV/AIDS Centre, students were mobilised for the procedure one week in advance.

“Through this circumcision promotion campaign, we are speaking to men to take responsibility for their sexual and reproductive health,” she added.

Mthokozisi Mjiyako, second-year Electrical Engineering (heavy current) student, who had undergone the medical procedure, said he chose to do it at the Clinic because of health reasons and hygiene. “I had consulted the clinic (Isolempilo) before and later decided to have MMC. Medical male circumcision has been scientifically proven to be an effective HIV prevention measure and reduces the risk of men acquiring HIV infection by about 60 percent,” he said.

– Thabo Maile

Pictured from left: Athenkosi Mongcengo; DUT Industrial Engineering student, Lynette Chetty; Senior Nurse and MMC Coordinator at the DUT Isolempilo Campus Clinic, Thabisile Shange; Professional Nurse from the eThekwini District Health Department and Sheila Nkwanyana; Cato Manor Clinic Enrolled Nurse.

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