Mat South records highest HIV rate
By Samkeliso Ndlovu
http://www.sundaynews.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=4243&cat=1
MATABELELAND South province has the highest number of recorded cases of HIV infection with Gwanda town topping the list due to a prevalence rate of 20,8 percent, the latest Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey has revealed.
According to the 2005-2006 preliminary report, the HIV and AIDS prevalence in the province stood at 20,8 percent for the 15-49 years of age sexually active group.
The average national prevalence rate currently stands at 18,1 percent after coming down from about 23 percent.
Nationally, the age group worst affected is the 35–39 bracket whose prevalence rate stands at 33,4 percent, followed by the 30 to 34 group at 32,9 percent.
The Midlands and Masvingo provinces had the least prevalence rates of HIV and AIDS in the country with 16,1 percent and 15,1 percent respectively. The Matabeleland South HIV/AIDS co-ordinator, Mr Dingani Ncube, said factors leading to high prevalence included the high mobility in the area due to the influx of cross-border traders, migrants, border jumpers and fortune seekers being lured by the need to go to neighbouring countries.
Brisk activities in the gold panning areas have also attributed to reckless sexual behaviour.
“Being neighbours with economically stable countries, South Africa and Botswana, Matabeleland South has one of the busiest in-land border posts in southern Africa, Beitbridge and Plumtree border posts.
“At any given time, the province has the highest concentration of truck drivers and commercial sex workers, particularly in Beitbridge town which has given rise to thriving sex networks,” he said.
Mr Ncube added that some of the factors that are fuelling the epidemic in the province included long periods of separation of spouses with some of them having gone to South Africa or Botswana to seek fortunes. The foreign-based spouse is bound to engage in extra-marital affairs, while the remaining one will do the same.
Some young girls were also forced to engage in prostitution in the region while young men also tend to leave school and cross into neighbouring countries whose HIV and AIDS infection rates were even higher than those at home.
“The already infected returning young men, because of their economic power, are often the target of the young girls back home and would infect the unsuspecting young girls. This is shown by the voluntary counselling and testing and ante-natal positivity rates prevalent in border-lying districts of Bulilima, Mangwe and Beitbridge.”
Mr Ncube said vigorous awareness programmes were being undertaken.
“Behavioural change communication as a strategy has been intensified in the province. The strategy which seeks to systematically tackle the deep-seated root causes of risk behaviours like multiple partnering, imbalanced gender relations, stigma associated with HIV and AIDS goes beyond awareness raising and communication on the Abstinence, Faithfulness and Condom use (ABC) strategy.
“Likewise, as a province led by the Honourable Governor and Resident Minister Cde Angeline Masuku and the entire political leadership, we have taken up the challenge to reduce HIV and AIDS infection rates in the province,” he said.
The Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr David Parirenyatwa launched the National Behavioural Change Strategy for the prevention of sexual transmission of HIV and AIDS between 2006 – 2010 early last month at Chitumba Business Centre in Beitbridge.
He emphasised the need for more focus to be placed on Matabeleland South province.
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