THE national HIV infection rate has declined to 13,6 percent during the first half from 15 percent recorded in the first quarter this year, reflecting a 1,4 percent decrease, National Aids Council (NAC) has said.
Zimbabwe is among some countries in Africa that are making great commitments through HIV prevention strategies to ensure zero new HIV infections, zero stigma, discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths in the post 2015.

Stakeholders involved in the national multi-sectoral response to HIV and AIDS believe the getting to zero goal could be achieved if the nation scales up prevention strategies such as prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT), correct and consistent use of condoms, male circumcision, reducing multiple concurrent partnerships, abstinence among the youths, as well as improving access to anti-retroviral treatment to those infected by HIV among others.
NAC communications officer Tadiwa Pfupa said the rate of HIV positivity among youths has remained low due to HIV prevention strategies and programmes that were being implemented countrywide.
“The 15 to 19 age group continues to have the lowest HIV positivity rate which is an indication of positive impact of HIV prevention strategies among the youth,” said Pfupa.
“There was a slight drop in the zero to 15 age-group from 12 percent to 10 percent.
“The overall national HIV positivity rate decreased from 15 percent in the first quarter of 2013 to 13,6 percent in the quarter under review.”
Pfupa said majority of people who tested positive were aged between 30 and 49 years.
“The majority of the clients (20 percent) who tested HIV positive remained in the 30 to 49 age group while the least was in the 15 to 19 age group (six percent),”she said.
At least 22 084 people repeated HIV tests during the first half as compared to 25 421 recorded in the first quarter.
Bulawayo, Midlands, Masvingo and Mashonaland East provinces recorded main decreases in the number of people tested for HIV in the second quarter in comparison to those tested during the previous quarter.
Pfupa expressed concern over decline in the number of people who were tested for HIV countrywide.
“There was a decrease in the number of clients tested for HIV from 278 753 in the first quarter of 2013 to 265 653 this quarter,” she said.
“Mashonaland East recorded the sharpest decline in the number of clients provided for HTC in this quarter.
“Masvingo noted some negative effects due to changes in the community mobilisation strategies utilised by implementing partners.”
The AIDS levy is expected to increase from US$33 million in 2013 to US$38 million in 2015.
She said there was also need to acquire more HIV testing equipment to boost the services in all provinces in the country.
“Shortages of test kits have been noted in all provinces,” Pfupa said.
There was no significant change in the percentage of clients, who opted for HIV testing after being pre-test counselling in the second quarter as compared to the previous quarter.
In the second half 274 344 were offered pretesting counselling and 265 653 opted for HIV testing which reflects 96,8 percent.
In the previous quarter 97 percent opted for HIV testing.
The overall national HIV positivity rate slightly increased from 14 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012 to 15 percent during the first quarter of 2013.
There were also 66 428 new people who were treated for sexually transmitted infections in the first quarter which translates to 22 new cases of STIs per 1 000 sexually active persons.