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Zimbabwe records drop in HIV prevalence rate
Thulani Munda, ZimOnline
November 01, 2007

http://www.zimonline.co.za/Article.aspx?ArticleId=2249

HARARE - Zimbabwe's rate of HIV and syphilis prevalence in women attending antenatal clinics has declined from 21.3 percent in 2004 to 17.7 percent last year, according to a government report released on Wednesday.

The report released by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare said a national survey of HIV and syphilis prevalence among women attending antenatal clinic had shown that prevalence was high among women who were not married compared to those married, while the 30-34 year age group had the highest infection rate.

Commending on the drop in HIV prevalence, the authors of the report said while the decline was commendable, the country should continue to scale up interventions to promote behaviour change among youths and adults while also increasing prevention of mother to child transmission.

"Although this decreasing trend is encouraging, overall HIV seroprevalence among women attending antenatal clinics in Zimbabwe remains high at 17.7 percent," the report reads in part.

It was also recommended that the country should increase the number of people on antiretroviral therapy (ART) to reduce mortality.

About 91 000 people are currently on ART while latest data on HIV and AIDS shows that an estimated 260 000 people were in urgent need of the therapy.

The objective of the survey was to establish the HIV and syphilis prevalence among antenatal clinic clients in order to monitor, develop and plan interventions for prevention and control.

The survey was carried out using 19 sites around the country with 7 207 women between the ages of 15 to 49 years participating.

Meanwhile, infant and maternal mortality rates in the country have declined over the past few years as the country scales up efforts to improve maternal health care in the country.

Health and Child Welfare Minister David Parirenyatwa said the number of women and children dying from maternal complications had drastically decreased in recent years, although he indicated that more effort was still required to improve maternal health care.

Zimbabwe's HIV and AIDS prevalence rate has declined from 18.1 percent in 2006 to 15.6 percent this year.

"I am happy to announce that our HIV estimates for adults aged 15 to 49 years for 2007 have declined from 18.1 percent to 15.6 percent. This is a significant drop but the figures are still very high and more should be done to lower the number," said Parirenyatwa.

The infection rate has also dropped to one out of every seven persons compared to one in every five persons living with the virus last year while weekly deaths have declined from 3 000 to 2 300, according to the minister.

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