Zimbabwe records decrease in HIV prevalence rate

The final results of the 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) show that the HIV prevalence rate in the country declined from 18% to 14% over the past 10 years.

The results of the survey, which were presented at a meeting organised by ZimStat and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) yesterday, showed that HIV prevalence among both men and women aged between 15 and 49 had decreased.

"However, there is a higher prevalence rate among women at 17% than men at 11%," the report said.

The survey also shows that the prevalence increased with age. Among women, peak HIV occurs in the 40-44 age group, while among men prevalence is highest in the 50-54 age group.

The prevalence rate appeared high among those who are widowed or divorced and lowest among those who have never been married.

"About 2% of children of ages 0-14 years were positive and prevalence was much higher in those children whose mothers where HIV-positive," according to the survey.

"Provincially, prevalence ranges from the lowest rate of 11% in Manicaland to the highest of 22% in Matabeleland South."

Matabeleland South was followed by Matabeleland North with 20,1% while Bulawayo stood at 18,7%. Mashonaland West had the second lowest prevalence with 12,9% followed by Mashonaland Central at 13,6%.

Mashonaland East and Midlands had the same rate at 14%, while Masvingo province had 14,9%.

Harare province held sixth position with a prevalence rate of 14,2%.

The survey said there was a 50% increase in testing within the last year for both women and men.

Increased protective behaviours as seen in condom use among young men with multiple partners increased by a third.

Zimbabwe is also making progress in improving access to sexual reproductive health services, including among adolescents and reducing gender-based violence.

"Maternal mortality has declined to 651 per 100 000 live births from 960 per 100 000 live births in 2010," the report said.

"Skilled birth attendances at delivery increased from 66,2% to 78%. Adolescence fertility rate remains high among girls, with nearly 1 in 10 young girls giving birth every year."

The findings also show that more than one in every three women had experienced physical violence by the age of 15.

However, the percentage of women, who experienced violence in the past 12 months decreased from 18,4% to 14,5%.

UNFPA country representative, Cheikh Tidiane Cisse said the final results of HIV prevalence survey were highly promising, showing that Zimbabwe was on the right track to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals targets.

ZimStat director-general, Mutasa Dzinotizei said the findings of the survey would be key in helping the government and development partners to develop relevant health-related programmes and interventions.