Zimbabwe News Update
herald
8 min read
Patrick ChitumbaZimpapers ReporterGWERU District in the Midlands Province has recorded a decline in new HIV infections, with the HIV incidence rate dropping from 0,21 percent last year to 0,17 percent this year, reflecting progress in prevention and treatment interventions.According to the National Aids Council (NAC), the district’s HIV prevalence rate currently stands at 11,3 percent, with an estimated 29 653 people living with HIV, of whom 27 949 are on anti-retroviral therapy (ART).In an interview, NAC’s Gweru urban coordinator, Mr Petros Mazengwa, said while treatment coverage is commendably high, efforts are ongoing to ensure that the few remaining people not yet on ART are reached and initiated.“It means we have a few people living with HIV who are not yet on ART.
We need to track them and ensure they are initiated,” he said.Mr Mazengwa said NAC had also analysed new HIV incidences among females aged 15–24, noting worrying trends among adolescent girls and young women.Those with regular partners recorded an incidence rate of 0,49 percent, while those with non-regular partners had a rate of 0,90 percent.However, among young key populations, the rate was significantly higher at 3,91 percent.“Among the young key populations, HIV incidence rates are consistently higher among females across all age groups compared to males.
The 15–24 age group recorded the highest incidence among females (3,91 percent) compared to males (0,79 percent),” said Mr Mazengwa.For the 25–34 age group, females had an incidence rate of 3,65 percent, compared to 1,08 percent for males.Mr Mazengwa said overall adult ART coverage in the district is 95,3 percent, but children’s ART coverage remains low at 50,9 percent.“Children are lagging in terms of HIV testing, treatment and viral load monitoring.
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