By Brenna Matendere
A follow up survey in Umguza has shown that Key populations in the district have responded progressively to interventions by the National AIDS Council to reduce HIV infections reported during the last media tour in the area.
Recently it was reported that the district had recorded the highest number of new HIV infections in Matebelalnd North province due to a rise in gold rush artisanal mining in hotspot areas such as Ndabazinduna and Nyamandlovu.
However, in a follow up survey by this publication, it was discovered that key populations such as sex workers and teenage boys and girls have since mastered teachings by NAC on prevention and treatment of HIV.
Sharon Mabuto, a 28-year-old sex worker at Ndabazinduna shopping centre said more of her colleagues are now participating in the condom distribution programme of NAC which will go a long way in reducing new HIV infections.
“From what we are seeing, due to the high uptake of condoms by sex workers, we no longer see cases of unwanted pregnancies from this group which shows they are following the HIV prevention programme by NAC,” she said.
Merryline Dhliwayo (39) a health worker in Umguza, said after formation of a group of sex workers by NAC which meets regularly to discuss issues of HIV, stigma cases have been reduced and those living with the virus no longer shun Anti retroviral treatment.
“People used to avoid going to collect their ARVs but now because there is less stigma, you see a lot of people doing so. What it means is that we will have reduced cases of new HIV infections,” she said.
A brother-to-brother NAC member, Thomas Baloyi (14) said due to teachings by NAC officials, he and noticed that cases of teenage pregnancies had been reduced in Umguza.
“We now rarely see girls dropping from school due to teenage pregnancies. It shows the messages by our mentors from NAC who also have a sister-to-sister programme are being listened to. It will help to reduce HIV in this area where there are a lot of miners,” he said.
The 2022 census report revealed that Umguza has a population of about 113 265 people in an area spanning into 6043 square kilometers.
In an interview, Umguza District Aids Coordinator (DAC) Mungiwabesuthu Ngwenya said the rural area which has been HIV heavily burdened is showing big signs of behaviour change.
“The impact is being noticed. Surely people are changing the behaviour and the uptake of HIV prevention services have improved.
“Only that we need to be guided by statistics of HIV new infections so that we substantiate our progress. We are waiting for the new figures,” he said.
According to the latest 2023 statistics which await to be updated, UMguza district has an HIV incidence rate of 0.27 % which is highest in the whole of Matebeleland North. Some districts such as Nkayi have as low as 0.05 % HIV incidence rate.
National AIDS Council (NAC) is an organization established through the Act of Parliament of 1999 to coordinate and facilitate the national multi-sectoral response to HIV and AIDS. It is also mandated to administer the National AIDS Trust Fund (NATF) collected through the AIDS Levy i.e the 3% collected from every workers taxable income (PAYE) and corporate tax.
About Author
