The Role of Nurses in Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention: An Integrative Review

Abstract

In 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) announced their recommendation to include voluntary medical male (VMMC) circumcision in the comprehensive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention package. Evidence supports that male circumcision, the surgical removal of the foreskin, reduces a heterosexual male's chance of acquiring HIV by approximately 60% (WHO, 2007). The purpose of this project was to address the clinical question: What is the role of nurses in the VMMC initiative for HIV prevention? This integrative review of 19 studies provides evidence to support the need and current involvement of nurses in the VMMC for HIV prevention effort. Evidence supports that task-shifting VMMC services from physicians to nurses would be a safe and effective means of addressing the shortage of skilled healthcare workers. Nurses with sufficient experience can safely and effectively provide VMMC without compromising patient outcomes or satisfaction (Ngo & Obhai, 2012). The literature supported task-shifting VMMC services to nurses; however, there was little evidence available regarding the current contribution of nurses to the VMMC for HIV prevention effort.