News / Health
50% of gays HIV+
20 Sep 2015 at 07:46hrs | Views
A recent study conducted by the Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) has revealed that least 50% of the country's gay and lesbian community is HIV positive.
The results of the study confirm that this situation, if ignored, could erode the government's achievements in HIV management over the past one and a half decades.
"In a study carried out by GALZ in partnership with local partners and SADC member states, Zimbabwean Men Who have Sex with Men (MSM) in five sites (383) had 23.5% HIV prevalence and Woman who have Sex with Women (WSW) (179) 32.6%," read part of the report which was partly presented by the organisation at a media training workshop held in Harare last week.
As of last year, GALZ had a known number of 2273 (MSM) and 380 (WSW) throughout the country.
GALZ leaders, in their presentation, said fear to openly talk about homosexuality coupled with "double stigma orientation and status" were prolonging untreated sexually transmitted Infections among its members.
The results of the study confirm that this situation, if ignored, could erode the government's achievements in HIV management over the past one and a half decades.
"In a study carried out by GALZ in partnership with local partners and SADC member states, Zimbabwean Men Who have Sex with Men (MSM) in five sites (383) had 23.5% HIV prevalence and Woman who have Sex with Women (WSW) (179) 32.6%," read part of the report which was partly presented by the organisation at a media training workshop held in Harare last week.
As of last year, GALZ had a known number of 2273 (MSM) and 380 (WSW) throughout the country.
GALZ leaders, in their presentation, said fear to openly talk about homosexuality coupled with "double stigma orientation and status" were prolonging untreated sexually transmitted Infections among its members.
Source - online
