New research has shown that African men are not more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior if they are circumcised.

Previous trials have suggested that male circumcision can greatly reduce the risk of being infected with HIV in young African men. Yet some experts suggest that circumcision may increase promiscuity among these young men, and may even decrease the likelihood of condom use. A team of researchers sought to determine whether or not such a hypothesis holds merit.

According to UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic, there were an estimated 23.5 million people living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2011.

A study conducted by University of Illinois at Chicago researchers in Kenya is the first population-level assessment of the risk associated with adult circumcision of males. The study was conducted from 2008 to 2010 in the east African nation of Kenya, and involved 3,186 uncircumcised males. Half of these men were circumcised soon after the assessment was conducted, while the other half did not have this procedure done. All the participants were asked to attend HIV testing and counselling services.

The researchers found that sexual activity increased equally between both circumcised and uncircumcised groups, and risky behaviors declined in both groups in equal amounts as well.

Lead study investigator Nelli Westercamp a former UIC research project coordinator, was concerned about African countries holding back on circumcision after looking at the risk compensation of circumcision over risky sexual behaviors.

“It was very important to do a real life, population-level study to look at this question. If men engaged in risky behaviors after circumcision, it could negate the protective effects,” said Westercamp in a statement.

The findings of the study are published online in the journal AIDS and Behavior.