Zvishavane’s HIV prevalence rate has surged to 15%, surpassing the national average of 12%, highlighting an urgent need for intensified prevention and intervention strategies.
The Zvishavane District AIDS Council reports a significant 15% increase in HIV prevalence this year, alongside a worrying rise in HIV incidence to 0.28%.
Officials from the District AIDS Council have expressed alarm at the spike in HIV infections, attributing the rise to several factors. “Intergenerational sexual relationships, early child marriages, a lack of comprehensive HIV education, and risky sexual behaviors such as multiple concurrent partnerships are major contributors,” said Mr. Mambewu Shumba, Provincial Manager of the National AIDS Council (NAC).
The district’s HIV prevalence has risen by 0.28% in 2024, reaching 15%, with recent months seeing a marked increase in new infections, particularly among women.
In response, the Zvishavane District AIDS Council is urging residents to take preventive measures and get tested. “We have rolled out programs offering free HIV testing, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART),” Mr. Shumba noted.
The Zvishavane District Council has committed to increasing funding for HIV prevention and treatment initiatives, a crucial move in addressing the crisis. “NAC has introduced a ‘social contract’ program, providing financial support to grassroots organizations in Zvishavane to run HIV programs,” Mr. Shumba explained.
Despite these efforts, more needs to be done to tackle the root causes of the epidemic, including addressing socioeconomic challenges, raising awareness, and improving access to healthcare services.
