Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza [email protected]
TSHOLOTSHO District has recorded the highest HIV prevalence rate in Matabeleland North Province at 17,8 percent, significantly surpassing both the provincial and national averages, raising concern among health experts over persistent infection drivers linked to migration and low uptake of prevention measures.
The statistics were released by the National Aids Council (NAC) during a first quarter 2026 HIV programme review meeting held in Bulawayo on Thursday.
Matabeleland North Province comprises seven districts — Binga, Bubi, Hwange, Lupane, Nkayi, Tsholotsho and Umguza — with the latest figures showing notable disparities in HIV prevalence and incidence across the province.
NAC monitoring and evaluation officer Mr Mthokozisi Moyo said Tsholotsho remains the province’s most affected district, followed by Lupane.
“Tsholotsho District has the highest HIV prevalence that stands at 17,8 percent and surpasses the provincial and national rates. It is followed by Lupane with 15,4 percent. The provincial rate stands at 11,4 percent,” said NAC monitoring and evaluation officer Mr Mthokozisi Moyo.
Health experts attributed the high prevalence in Tsholotsho largely to labour migration patterns, where many men travel to neighbouring countries such as South Africa and Botswana in search of employment, leaving their spouses behind for extended periods.
Cross-border mobility has long been identified as one of the major drivers of HIV transmission in border and migration-prone communities, particularly in Matabeleland provinces where many families depend on migration for livelihoods.
Mr Moyo said Binga District continues to record the lowest HIV prevalence rate in the province at 5,1 percent among people aged between 15 and 49 years.
“Disparities in condom uptake remain and may be attributed to cultural norms and low demand. The province needs to strengthen community education and demand creation for female condoms,” he said.
The meeting also heard that 3 013 new sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases were recorded in the province during the first quarter of the year, a development health officials say points to continued risky sexual behaviour in some communities.
Mr Moyo said Tsholotsho also recorded the highest HIV incidence rate in the province.
“The provincial HIV incidence for the 15 to 49-year age group stands at 0,13 percent. Tsholotsho has the highest incidence at 0,21 percent, followed by Umguza at 0,17 percent. Binga remains the least affected with 0,06 percent,” he said.
HIV incidence refers to the number of newly infected HIV cases within a population over a specific period and is used to measure how rapidly the virus is spreading.
The latest statistics come at a time when Zimbabwe is intensifying efforts to reduce new HIV infections through the introduction of innovative prevention methods.
Last year, the Ministry of Health and Child Care launched the rollout of Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection administered only twice a year, making Zimbabwe one of the first countries globally to introduce the next-generation HIV prevention tool.
The introduction of Lenacapavir marked a major shift from traditional HIV prevention methods that rely on daily oral medication.
Unlike oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which requires users to take a pill every day to reduce the risk of HIV infection, Lenacapavir is a capsid inhibitor administered through injection every six months.
The drug works by blocking the viral capsid, a protein structure essential for HIV replication and spread in the body, thereby offering long-term protection with improved convenience and adherence.
The rollout is targeting high-risk populations that include adolescent girls and young women, sex workers, men who have sex with men, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women whose social and economic circumstances increase their vulnerability to HIV infection.
Zimbabwe was selected in August last year as one of 10 countries in the region to introduce Lenacapavir under a global early access programme, a move widely viewed as recognition of the country’s strong HIV response systems and its ability to implement complex public health interventions.
