Target Audience
ABYM: Situation and Behavioural Analysis HIV prevalence among adolescent boys (15-19 years) and young men (20-24 years) tends to be low (2.5% and 2.7%, respectively), but the rate steadily climbs until it peaks at 28.1% among men ages 45-49 years.7 Almost a third of boys (30%) have had sex before the age of 18 years, but HIV testing coverage is low at 35%.39.
Inadequate and limited access or inability to read comprehensive HIV prevention, care and treatment information, along with myths and misconceptions, contribute to young men’s risk of HIV infection. Young men are shy to talk about sex, which limits their ability to acquire information about HIV prevention, care and treatment. A man’s need to feel in control underpins his behavior.
Young women are still disproportionally affected by HIV. In eastern and southern Africa in 2017, 79% of new HIV infections among 10–19-year-olds were among females. An estimated 50 adolescent girls die every day from AIDS-related illnesses. And each day, some 460 adolescent girls become infected with HIV. Accountability is critical and we are far behind reaching the Fast-Track Targets for 2020...
HIV prevalence among women continues to increase between ages 25-29 (14.3%) and 30-34 (22%) and peaks between ages 40-44 (29.6%).7 Adult women at highest risk of HIV infection include those in serodiscordant relationships or with a partner of unknown status, and pregnant and lactating women due to unsafe sexual practices; gender-based and intimate partner violence...
Men have higher HIV prevalence rates than women later in life (from ages 50-54 onwards) and peak at 28.1% between ages 45-49. 9 HIV prevalence is high among specific groups of men including migrant agricultural workers (26%), commercial farmers/estates (21%), and prisoners (28%). 48 Viral load suppression among adults is the lowest among HIV-positive men ages 25-34 (40.1%), followed closely...
HIV prevalence among female sex workers in Zimbabwe is 57.1%, which is nearly five times the rate of the general population. 8 There are an estimated 4,000 new HIV infections among FSWs annually. 35 In Zimbabwe, 30% of men aged 30-49 and 25% of married men and 19% of men with secondary or more education reported having sex with a commercial sex worker.
HIV prevalence among MSM in Zimbabwe is 31%, 8 MSM and their associated risks and prevalence of HIV/STI remain understudied. Biological, behavioural and legal factors put MSM at 28 times higher risk of HIV infection compared to the general population. 15 Among MSM who do not self-identify as MSM, a perception of having low risk for HIV further compounds their risk.
People with disabilities, the community’s most vulnerable individuals, generally face greater challenges and risks compared to others in equal geographical or economic conditions. Treatment of PWD is deeply rooted in cultural and social norms that perpetuate the belief that PWD have been bewitched or cursed, as well as being based on ignorance.
Influencers such as religious and political leaders, traditional healers, traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and other opinion leaders have a great deal of authority in their communities. As such, they can also guide and influence attitudes and behaviour change related to HIV and other health topics such as prenatal care and family planning. Religious leaders are seen as a credible source of...
Providers, including doctors, nurses, medical officers and others health care workers, face many challenges and extensive demands on their time such as pressure to meet high yield targets, high staff turnover, burnout associated with limited number of providers (to client ratio) which often impacts the quality of care required to meet clients’ extensive needs.
Numerous factors create a risk of HIV infection for AGYW, including low risk perception, limited access to prevention methods and lack of comprehensive HIV information. The risk is compounded by gender norms, age mixing, multiple concurrent partners and transactional sex. HIV prevalence among young women (ages 20-24) is 8.1%—almost three times higher than...
