LOOKING at the lenthy the queue, one would not have imagined that students were lining up to have their foreskins sliced!

So persuasive has circumcision become that attendees at the just ended first ever Campus Health Fair made the practice the biggest attraction.

Not quite, as bouncy songbird Miriam Mukape known in entertainment circles as Mampi dazed the audience with her dance antics. The fair attracted students from college and university campuses around Lusaka and on offer were various medical services.
"I am glad health information has been brought to our doorstep," remarked Chisenga Taonga.

"There are a lot of things said about circumcision but today I have had a chance to hear for myself."

Chisenga eagerly enlisted for circumcision after a lengthy chat with personnel at the Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (PPAZ) stand.

"I have put my name through for circumcision. It has taken long because most of my friends have done circumcision," he said decidedly.

The NIPA student tabulated the positives of circumcision.
"At least from the information I got, it is just a simple medical operation with lasting advantages," Chisenga said.

He says hygiene was also another motivation for him to go for circumcision.
"With a foreskin, it is easy for bacteria to collect under my foreskin and cause infection, so cutting it off reduces chances of infection," Chisenga said.

He said circumcision reduced the chances of contracting HIV/AIDS.
"Also the other thing is there is a 60 per cent reduction in the chances of contracting HIV which is a major health risk," Chisenga said.

And Brian Kaula said any tool available in the fight against HIV/AIDS needed to be employed for the fight to succeed.

"I think circumcision should be seen to be done out of peer pressure but as a tool for fighting HIV/AIDS," said the Evelyn Hone College Science Laboratory student.
Brian advised other students to consider the operation to ease their hygiene and health problems.

"Healing does not take long," he said.
On whether circumcision was a license to irresponsible sexual behaviour, Brian vigorously said no.

"No! it is not for that purpose but only for the reasons I have given," Brian said.
A check at the PPAZ stand at 15:20 found that 83 students had registered while at the close of the fair over hundred entries had been made.

And Mary Tembo who was sifting through literature about cervical cancer hailed the health fair initiative as highly informative.

"This is a very good idea as it has brought out a lot of information on health matters," said Mary, a University of Zambia student.

Another student William Kampinda who had just undergone an HIV/AIDS test advised youths to know their status.

"I have just had my test and I am happy with the results. It is important that youths like everyone else know their status," William said.

He said that knowing one's status was a chance for a fresh start in life.
"At least now that I know my status I can know how to conduct myself," William said.

And Mampi adorned in her usual skimpy strip said her participation in events like the college fair was part of her responsibility as an artiste to show the way.

"It is part of my responsibility as a person and artiste to lead by example on important issues," said the Sunsha style famed performer.

Mampi said that a lot of things happen on campuses hence the need to sensitise students on health issues.

"A lot of things happen in college' in college some students get wild and forget that they are in college so we need to guide them with correct information," she said.
Mampi said the mix of music and serious health talk was an effective tool for sensitising a youthful audience.

"I think the messages are sinking as we are entertaining them," said Mampi.
The lively musician revealed that cancer was a topic closer to her heart.

Asked on how she rated her standing as a model talking health issues in her seemingly seductive attire Mampi had this to say:

"People should know that your dressing is different from yourself, what lies inside you." She added: "If today I changed my dressing but be a bad girl would that make people happy?"

She said that it was one way of getting people's attention to put across life saving messages.

"Look, it is one way of making effective my messages. If I see that only when I do the sunsha people will pay attention why not?" she asked.

"Young girls like to wear what I wear. They should know that to be a star you have to shine far in the sky where people cannot reach you."

Speaking for the organizers, Chama Nsabika described the event as successful.
"The event has been highly successful especially being the first of its kind. All the services here were for free," Nsabika said.

She thanked the various stakeholders that had supported the event.
During the health fair, various services were on case like Blood Pressure check, Voluntary Counseling and Testing, mental health information, male circumcision and cervical cancer scan that were done by registration for subsequent operation at the various health posts for free.