American and Ugandan scientists indicate that adult male circumcision can significantly reduce infection rates of two of the most common sexually transmitted diseases: herpes and human papillomavirus. On the other hand, circumcision also reduces by more than 50% risk of contracting AIDS through heterosexual sex. These conclusions have been reached through a study conducted by the Rakai Health Sciences Program in Uganda in collaboration with researchers at the Johns Hopkins University, Makerere University Kampala (also in Uganda) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease's (NIAID). Results are obtained from analysis of samples collected in two parallel clinical trials conducted in Rakai. In addition to the aforementioned diseases, circumcision also helps prevent other sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis. According to scientists, are now overwhelming evidence pointing to the public health value of medically supervised male circumcision
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