by Patrick Chitumba, patrick.chitumba@chronicle.co.zw

Original article https://www.chronicle.co.zw/14pc-of-gweru-population-living-with-hiv/#:~:text=THE%20National%20Aids%20Council%20(Nac,Gweru%20is%20living%20with%20HIV.&text=In%20an%20interview%2C%20Mr%20Mazengwa,percent%20in%20last%20year’s%20estimates.


THE National Aids Council (Nac) has said at least 14.4 percent of the population in Gweru is living with HIV. Nac district Aids coordinator for Gweru urban, Mr Petros Mazengwa said the district has a population of 283 004 people comprising 121 712 males and 161 292 females

In an interview, Mr Mazengwa said there was a slight increase in the HIV and Aids prevalence from 13,3 percent in the 2022
estimates to 14.4 percent in last year’s estimates. 51 “What it simply means is that we have managed to identify more
HIV-positive people through our targeted interventions like key populations programming,” he said.

Mr Mazengwa said the prevalence is not expected to go down drastically because of a vibrant ART programme which keeps
people living healthy as they live longer. “HIV prevalence is higher among the female population compared to the males. This can also be a reflection of ourdemographics, as we have higher female population compared tothe male population. Secondly, women seem to have betterhealth seeking behaviour compared to their male counterparts,”
he said.

Mr Mazengwa said new HIV incidences have gone down due to strengthened prevention and targeted interventions being
implemented in the district. Programmes like DREAMS, Comprehensive Condom Programme, Peer-Led and Key Populations programming contributed a lot inaverting new infections.


“By new incidences, we refer to new infections recorded in a particular geographical area in a given period. The district prevalence is currently at 14,4 percent according to the 2023 estimates report. Prevalence among the male population is 10,4
percent and among females is 14,4 percent,” said Mr Mazengwa He said 2023 estimates also indicated HIV new incidences of 0,23
percent from 0,30 percent in the previous estimates report. Zimbabwe has made significant strides towards ending HIV and Aids by 2030, with the prevalence rate now at 11 percent while the incidence rate is below two percent nationally.

Globally in all countries, there has been a general decline in HIV infections and Zimbabwe has the largest decline of 57 percent in Southern

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