HIV - AIDS denial killing more men in Zimbabwe

Messages about the importance of using condoms have been pushed by HIV/Aids activists and health professionals for decades, but while many men admit they understand the risks associated with low condom use, many still take the unprotected plunge.

Health experts believe that male involvement and participation in HIV programmes is vital to ending the HIV/Aids epidemic in Zimbabwe.

More Zimbabwean women are infected with HIV, however more men are dying due to denial and seeking treatment late.

These dynamics also apply to voluntary counselling and testing as very few men are willing to take the step, according to experts.

Zimbabwe recorded the highest condom usage in the world over the last five years, according to the Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey of 2011.

Currently the HIV prevalence rate is at 13,9 percent with 1,1 million people living with HIV/Aids and only 50 percent having access to treatment.

For many women, it is hard to negotiate safe sex with their partners due to the power dynamics in most relationships.

Women say there is a stigma associated with being in possession of condoms - many are viewed as promiscuous.

For such women, it is hard to introduce the issue of condom use to their spouses.