Brief Report: Modeling the Impact of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision on Cervical Cancer in Uganda

The Effects of Medical Male Circumcision on Female Partners' Sexual and Reproductive Health

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) reduces the risk of HIV acquisition by 60% among heterosexual men, provides protection against certain sexually transmitted infections (STI), and leads to penile microbiome composition changes associated with reduced risk of HIV infection. Intuitively, the benefits of VMMC for female sex partners in relation to STI are likely and have been evaluated. The purpose of this review is to examine emerging findings of broader sexual and reproductive health (SRH) benefits of VMMC for female sex partners.

RECENT FINDINGS

Systematic reviews find strong evidence for beneficial effects of VMMC on female sex partners risk of HPV, cervical dysplasia, cervical cancer, and with likely protection against trichomoniasis and certain genital ulcerative infections. Few studies assess the direct impact of VMMC on the vaginal microbiome (VMB), though several studies demonstrate reductions in BV, which is mediated by the VMB. Studies are lacking regarding male circumcision status and outcomes associated with non-optimal VMB, such as female infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes. VMMC has positive effects on women's perceptions of sexual function and satisfaction, and perceptions of disease risk and hygiene, without evidence of risk compensation. VMMC has consistent association with a broad range of women's SRH outcomes, highlighting the biological and non-biological interdependencies within sexual relationships, and need for couples-level approaches to optimize SRH for men and women. The paucity of information on VMMC and influence on VMB is a barrier to optimizing VMB-associated SRH outcomes in female partners.

Mathematical Models for Evaluating Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Cervical Cancer Control Policies in Populations Including Women Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Scoping Review

OBJECTIVES

Mathematical modeling is increasingly used to inform cervical cancer control policies, and model-based evaluations of such policies in women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are an emerging research area. We did a scoping review of published literature to identify research gaps and inform future work in this field.

METHODS

We systematically searched literature up to April 2022 and included mathematical modeling studies evaluating the effectiveness or cost-effectiveness of cervical cancer prevention strategies in populations including women living with HIV. We extracted information on prevention strategies and modeling approaches.

RESULTS

We screened 1504 records and included 22 studies, almost half of which focused on South Africa. We found substantial between-study heterogeneity in terms of strategies assessed and modeling approaches used. Fourteen studies evaluated cervical cancer screening strategies, 7 studies assessed human papillomavirus vaccination (with or without screening), and 1 study evaluated the impact of HIV control measures on cervical cancer incidence and mortality. Thirteen conducted cost-effectiveness analyses. Markov cohort state-transition models were used most commonly (n = 12). Most studies (n = 17) modeled the effect of HIV by creating HIV-related health states. Thirteen studies performed model calibration, but 11 did not report the calibration methods used. Only 1 study stated that model code was available upon request.

CONCLUSIONS

Few model-based evaluations of cervical cancer control strategies have specifically considered women living with HIV. Improvements in model transparency, by sharing information and making model code publicly available, could facilitate the utility of these evaluations for other high disease-burden countries, where they are needed for assisting policy makers.

Defining the Global Research and Programmatic Agenda and Priority Actions for Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Since 2007, voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) programs have been associated with substantially reduced HIV incidence across 15 prioritized countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. Drawing on the programmatic experience of global VMMC leaders, this report reviews progress made in the first 15 years of the program, describes programmatic and research gaps, and presents considerations to maximize the impact of VMMC.

RECENT FINDINGS

Overall, key programmatic and research gaps include a lack of robust male circumcision coverage estimates due to limitations to the data and a lack of standardized approaches across programs; challenges enhancing VMMC uptake include difficulties reaching populations at higher risk for HIV infection and men 30 years and older; limitations to program and procedural quality and safety including variations in approaches used by programs; and lastly, sustainability with limited evidence-based practices. Considerations to address these gaps include the need for global guidance on estimating coverage, conducting additional research on specific sub-populations to improve VMMC uptake, implementation of responsive and comprehensive approaches to adverse event surveillance, and diversifying financing streams to progress towards sustainability. This report's findings may help establish a global VMMC research and programmatic agenda to inform policy, research, and capacity-building activities at the national and global levels.