Men at risk of contracting advanced HIV

Men in Zimbabwe remain at higher risk of contracting advanced HIV disease, with Aids-related mortality disproportionately affecting them due to lower health-seeking behaviours, a new report reveals.

The findings are contained in the draft Zimbabwe National HIV and Aids Strategic Plan (ZNASP) 2026-2030, which underscores ongoing challenges despite the country's substantial progress in combating the epidemic.

"Viral suppression in children and young people is significantly lower than in adults. Disparities also remain among men and key populations. Men and at-risk groups have lower testing coverage and initiate treatment late," the draft report notes.

Societal barriers—including stigma, discrimination, and restrictive legal frameworks—continue to hinder access to testing and treatment. According to the 2022 Stigma Index, 69.7% of people living with HIV report experiencing stigma, making men less likely to seek care promptly.

Urban centres such as Harare and Bulawayo report large numbers of people living with HIV, while some rural border districts, including Matabeleland South, record higher incidence rates than cities.

The report highlights certain groups at elevated risk, including female sex workers, whose HIV prevalence is estimated between 45% and 60%, men who have sex with men (23.4% prevalence), transgender people, people who inject drugs, prisoners in overcrowded conditions, and occupational groups such as miners and truck drivers.

Despite these challenges, Zimbabwe has maintained a mature and organised response to the epidemic. By 2024, the number of people living with HIV had declined to 1,295,675, down from over 1.5 million a decade earlier, a reduction credited to expanded treatment coverage and effective government prevention efforts.

The ZNASP draft stresses that men continue to start treatment later, often presenting with advanced disease, which contributes to higher mortality. Authorities say that addressing stigma, improving access to testing, and expanding tailored interventions for key populations remain critical to meeting the national goal of ending the epidemic by 2030.

The report underscores the urgency of targeted strategies for men and other vulnerable groups, as well as the need for sustained funding and supportive legal frameworks to ensure equitable access to prevention and care services.