Sukoluhle Ndlovu
MIDLANDS State University has seen an increase in sugar daddies and mummies, a development that has resulted in an upsurge in HIV prevalence rate in Gweru, National Aids Council (NAC) has said.In this light, Gweru is now considered a hot spot as regards HIV prevalence in the province. NAC Midlands provincial co-ordinator, Mambewu Shumba, said HIV prevalence rate in Gweru stood at 23 percent from about 20 percent in recent years, a development attributed to an increase in students at MSU.
In an interview on the sidelines of the provincial heads of departments’ workshop in Redcliff recently, Shumba said plans were at an advanced stage to engage partners to provide relevant information on HIV/Aids, STIs and TB at the institution of higher learning.
“Kwekwe is second on 20,3 percent, Shurugwi 19,7 percent, Chirumanzu 19 percent, Zvishavane 16,7 percent, Mberengwa 15 percent, Gokwe South 11,8 percent and Gokwe North stands at 6,5 percent,” said Shumba.
“MSU has brought about a new behaviour change in Gweru. We are now seeing old people engaging in relationships with students at the college and that is attributed to the rise in HIV prevalence rate.”
In terms of sexually transmitted infections, Shumba said Gweru recorded 6 727 cases up from 5 814 in 2013.
Shumba said in second place was Mberengwa which recorded 3 691 cases up from 2 237 in 2013.
“Gokwe South recorded 3 401 cases from 7 687, Kwekwe 2 497 from 6 908 in the same period,” said Shumba.
Meanwhile, Shumba said the province has been allocated $500 000 to undertake HIV/Aids programmes.
He said this year’s programmes would be different from past interventions because they would be conscious of the districts’ specific needs.
“Our 2015 plan is different because it is district based. Each district has a different type of challenge so the way of responding and the way of having activities and priorities are different. It is now according to the districts’ needs and priorities,” Shumba said.
NAC has introduced the training of HIV and Aids focal persons in tertiary institutions to provide technical guidance to students particularly those in their first year to ensure that tertiary institutions provide a comprehensive programme to enlighten students on sexual behaviour and health. B-Metro
MIDLANDS State University has seen an increase in sugar daddies and mummies, a development that has resulted in an upsurge in HIV prevalence rate in Gweru, National Aids Council (NAC) has said.In this light, Gweru is now considered a hot spot as regards HIV prevalence in the province. NAC Midlands provincial co-ordinator, Mambewu Shumba, said HIV prevalence rate in Gweru stood at 23 percent from about 20 percent in recent years, a development attributed to an increase in students at MSU.
In an interview on the sidelines of the provincial heads of departments’ workshop in Redcliff recently, Shumba said plans were at an advanced stage to engage partners to provide relevant information on HIV/Aids, STIs and TB at the institution of higher learning.
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| “MSU has brought about a new behaviour change in Gweru. We are now seeing old people engaging in relationships with students at the college and that is attributed to the rise in HIV prevalence rate.” |
“MSU has brought about a new behaviour change in Gweru. We are now seeing old people engaging in relationships with students at the college and that is attributed to the rise in HIV prevalence rate.”
In terms of sexually transmitted infections, Shumba said Gweru recorded 6 727 cases up from 5 814 in 2013.
Shumba said in second place was Mberengwa which recorded 3 691 cases up from 2 237 in 2013.
“Gokwe South recorded 3 401 cases from 7 687, Kwekwe 2 497 from 6 908 in the same period,” said Shumba.
Meanwhile, Shumba said the province has been allocated $500 000 to undertake HIV/Aids programmes.
He said this year’s programmes would be different from past interventions because they would be conscious of the districts’ specific needs.
“Our 2015 plan is different because it is district based. Each district has a different type of challenge so the way of responding and the way of having activities and priorities are different. It is now according to the districts’ needs and priorities,” Shumba said.
NAC has introduced the training of HIV and Aids focal persons in tertiary institutions to provide technical guidance to students particularly those in their first year to ensure that tertiary institutions provide a comprehensive programme to enlighten students on sexual behaviour and health. B-Metro
