Zim HIV rate down to 15,6pc
By Paidamoyo Chipunza
ZIMBABWE’S HIV/Aids prevalence rate has declined from 18,1 percent to 15,6 percent over the past four years, continuing the trend that saw the figure falling from 26,5 percent in 2001 to 18,1 percent in 2003.
The lower rate is a reflection of the unrelenting campaign by the Government and other stakeholders to raise awareness of the dangers of HIV and take active steps to reduce the risk of infection.
But Zimbabweans have also been warned that the lower rate is still unacceptably high and there can be no let-up in the battle to reduce risky behaviour and protect children born to infected parents.
An estimated 1 320 739 people are living with HIV and Aids, 651 402 of them women and 132 938 being children under 14 years old who probably contracted the virus from their mothers at birth.
According to the new statistics, one in seven Zimbabweans is now HIV positive, a sharp drop from the previous ratio of one in four when infection rates were at their height in the 1990s. (more…)
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