Alarming HIV Prevalence and Incidence Rates in Matabeleland

Alarming HIV Prevalence and Incidence Rates in Matabeleland: Mobility and Border Crossings Fuel Epidemic

Matabeleland South province tops HIV prevalence and incidence rate with new data revealing staggering rates of infection that far surpass the national average.

The high infection rates in the region have been attributed to high mobility of the population to other countries in search of employment.

According to the latest figures, the HIV prevalence rate in Matabeleland South stands at 17.3 while Matabeleland North stands at 14.45 percent, over 4 percentage points higher than the country’s overall prevalence of 10.49 percent. Even more alarming is the province’s HIV incidence rate, which measures the number of new infections, at 0.34 percent, nearly three times the national incidence of 0.15 percent.

The high rates of HIV transmission in the region have been attributed to a confluence of factors, including high population mobility.

One of the representatives of National Aids Council who attended the engagement said “The mobility of our population, particularly the high number of people who travel across the border for work, is a major driver of the HIV epidemic here.”

He added, “People move back and forth, engaging in risky behaviour, and then returning home to their families, spreading the virus along the way.”

Last year, the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) revealed that the Matabeleland region has the highest number of people living outside Zimbabwe, with Matabeleland South having the highest share at 33 percent. Bulawayo has the fourth highest proportion at 22 percent. Most emigrated for employment, family reasons, and study/education.

Meanwhile, Dr NP Sithole-Sibanda has revealed that mumps cases are on the increase in Africa with males mostly affected than females.