Chronicle Editor
Nqobile Bhebhe in Chinhoyi
JOURNALISTS from various media houses across are in Mashonaland West province on a tour of National Aids Council (NAC) interventions projects in collaboration with strategic partners.
Mr Davison Mambudzi, NAC Mashonaland West programme officer told journalists in Chinhoyi today that the purpose of the tour is for journalists to have an appreciation of HIV interventions by NAC and strategic partners.
Some of the projects that journalists would visit in the seven districts include the ‘Sister to Sister’ programme introduced by NAC in 2006.
It aims to reduce HIV prevalence among vulnerable groups aged between 10 and 24. Girls and young women have been equipped with knowledge about their sexual and reproductive rights.
Giving an epidemic over view of the district, Mr Mambudzi said vulnerable populations include adolescents living with HIV, truck drivers and fishermen in Kariba.
Key drivers range from inter-generational sex, low risk perceptions, low condom use and multiple concurrent partners.
In terms of estimated HIV prevalence, Mhondoro has 14 percent, Chegutu (13 percent), Zvimba (12,6 percent), Makonde (12 percent), Sanyati (11,4 percent), Hurungwe (11 percent) and Kariba has an estimate of 9, 5 percent.
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter