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The development has contributed to the reduction of the HIV and Aids prevalence rate in the country.
However, the three province of Matabeleland region — Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South — remain at the top in HIV and Aids prevalence compared to other provinces.
This emerged during the ongoing HIV and Aids capacity building training workshop for journalists, which began in Kwekwe yesterday.
Presenting the overview of Zimbabwe’s response to HIV and Aids, National Aids Council (NAC) monitoring and evaluation director Mr Amon Mpofu commended Zimbabweans for adopting condom usage and said the development has helped the country to scale up its fight against the disease.
“The usage of condoms is very high in Zimbabwe compared to other countries in the world.
“This is because in terms of distribution of condoms the country has adopted an intense distribution system through the National Family Planning Council which is working with different community care groups,” said Mr Mpofu.
“We also have partners such as Population Services International (PSI), which has facilitated the selling of both female and male condoms in every shop, hotels and other places. This partly explains why the country has experienced a sharp decline in HIV and Aids prevalence rate.”
Mr Mpofu said condom usage among other intervention strategies were paying dividends as evidenced by the reduction of the prevalence rate from around 21 percent in 2006 to 15 percent this year.
The prevalence rate describes the number of HIV-positive people at a point in time and is usually based on national HIV estimates.
He also said the country recorded improved awareness due to massive educational programmes on the disease, which have resulted in behaviour change.
“Behavioural change patterns coupled with correct and consistent use of condoms have also resulted in the reduced prevalence rate.
“At the moment Zimbabwe is regarded as the role model in the region because of its effective strategies in the fight against HIV and Aids,” said Mr Mpofu.
Although the prevalence rate for Matabeleland region is the highest, Mr Mpofu said the trend remained stable due to improved access to quality treatment services.
“Matabeleland region remained stable because people infected with HIV and Aids are accessing quality treatment service.
“However, Harare has the highest number of people living with HIV and Aids in Zimbabwe followed by Manicaland despite low prevalence. This is because the population that side is not getting quality service due to high demand and queues, which force some patients to seek treatment elsewhere,” said Mr Mpofu.
At the moment Zimbabwe has 1,3 million people living with HIV and Aids of which 510 000 are on anti-retroviral treatment.
Speaking during the same occasion NAC chief executive officer Dr Tapuwa Magure also said Zimbabwe has made great strides towards fighting the disease.
“Zimbabwe has made huge strides in trying to tackle the prevalence of HIV and Aids.
“It is also one of the first countries to mobilise resources through the introduction of the national Aids levy.”
The workshop was officially opened by Kwekwe Central MP Mr Blessing Chebundo.
He urged the media to play a crucial role in the fight against HIV and Aids through dissemination of information on issues revolving around the disease.
A similar workshop for editors was held by NAC in Kadoma on Tuesday and Wednesday and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Media and Publicity Cde George Charamba, called upon the media to play a pivotal role in the dissemination of information about HIV and Aids.
Online Reporter