All boys are born with a hood of loose skin around the head of their penis. If you are circumcised that foreskin is removed.

A medical male circumcision (MMC) is safe, hygienic and relatively painless. It is done at a clinic and takes anything from 5 - 30 minutes to complete. The foreskin is made numb using local anaesthetic.

A MMC can reduce a man’s chances of contracting HIV by 60%. The foreskin traps germs and they multiply easily because they are in a warm, moist space. The inner foreskin also absorbs HIV more easily. But, a MMC does not mean that you cannot contract HIV and other STIs so you still need to use condoms correctly and consistently and practice safer sex.

You should not have sex or masturbate for at least six weeks after you have been circumcised so that you heal properly.

Remember: It's important you know that for women, the risk of becoming infected is not reduced when a man is circumcised. To protect your woman and yourself, use a condom each and every time you have sex.

If a man is circumcised, then his risk of getting HIV is reduced by about 60%. Make it 100% impossible to catch an STI by using a condom correctly every time you have sex.

Find out more about MMC. Call 990 for free 24-hour health and social services help. Or join Zambia U-Report. Text the word “JOIN” to 878 on all networks for free. You can ask your question and get answers.