FARMING communities in Mashonaland East province have recorded a sharp decline in new HIV, Aids infections, as farm workers heed Aids awareness campaigns launched by the National Aids Council (NAC).
By Jairos Saunyama
Speaking during a belated provincial World Aids Day commemorations held at Tapfuma Primary School in Marondera on Friday, NAC provincial Aids co-ordinator Wilfred Dube said the rate dropped to 3% compared to 42% in 2010.
“Zimbabwe has recorded significant progress in reducing new infections, which have dropped by more than 50% from 1,42% in 2011 to 0,48% in 2016. Through this and other achievements, Zimbabwe is now regarded as the global leader in HIV prevention, including the eastern and southern African regional HIV prevention revitalisation agenda that our Health and Child Care minister is steering,” he said.
“ZIMPHIA results for Mashonaland Incidence rates declined from 0,93% to 0,47%. Positivity rate used to be as high as 39% to 42% in 2010 in the farming compounds, but now the range is around 2% to 3%.”
According to NAC, positivity rate was high due to a lot of unprotected sex in farming compounds around Marondera district caused by marrying and remarrying within the same compound. The organisation, however, descended in the farms and held massive campaigns on HIV prevention.
In 2010, positivity rate was high mainly at Bemba Farm, where 39% of the tested farm workers had sexual transmitted infections.
Mashonaland East Province has a number of commercial farms that employ thousands of people.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Dube said about 1,2 million people would be on HIV treatment by end of year.
“The year was a great period for national response as the number of people receiving anti-retroviral therapy went over the one million mark. We are convinced that before the end of this year, Zimbabwe will have all the 1,2m people estimated to be living with HIV on treatment,” he said.
