World Connect

Prepex for the People

Year: 2017

Country: Rwanda

Project Status: Funded

Impact Sector: Health

Project Investment: $160.60

Project Launch: 12-4-17

HIV/AIDS remains a persistent threat throughout much of Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa. Circumcision has been shown to reduce heterosexually acquired HIV infection by 60%. This project will train health center nurses in Southern Rwanda to provide a safe, nonsurgical circumcision procedure known as Prepex in order to reduce transmission of HIV. During Prepex campaign days, project leaders will conduct lessons focused on reproductive health, sexual and reproductive rights, and positive masculinity with the boys and men waiting to receive their circumcision procedures. This project will focus not only on the physical intervention of circumcision but also on positive behavior change and gender perceptions that will strengthen the community as a whole.

Project Update: 6-21-18

20 patients received circumcision services through the initiative. Participating nurses demonstrated knowledge of the STD-related benefits of circumcision and comfort administering the procedure. Results of initial reviews suggest local youth are cultivating more positive behaviors related to gender and sexuality.

Final Report: 10-4-24

Two nurses were trained in the non-surgical Prepex circumcision procedure and forty-three boys and men were circumcised during and after the campaign's completion. Patients of the campaign received a positive masculinity lesson as well as a sexual and reproductive health and rights lesson while they waited for the procedure. The health center will now continue to offer Prepex circumcision as a regular service in an effort to help lower the risk of community members contracting HIV in their lifetime.