Poor messaging is one of the biggest barriers to the uptake of the Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) programme which has consistently remained low over the years, researchers have said.
by Phyllis Mbanje
The cross sectional study conducted by the National Aids Council in Mashonaland West was shared during a national research forum on Evidence for advancing Universal Health Coverage in Zimbabwe which was held in the city on Friday and attended by stakeholders.
“This research provides valuable evidence on how messaging of VMMC is not equitably covering all sub populations groups in Zimbabwe in terms of religion, tradition and educational level,” George Machacha from NAC said.
Prior to the research, there had been numerous calls to conduct research and establish the reasons behind the low uptake.
The researchers recommended that messages be re-designed to target traditional/religious circumcising communities and specific messages for ono-circumcising communities.
There has always been a huge challenge in the promotion of male circumcision because Zimbabwe is traditionally not a circumcising country.
The practice is common among only a few communities particularly the Shangani tribe of Chiredzi, in the Lowveld part of the country.
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In Mashonaland West, just like most provinces, the uptake of VMMC has remained low with a percentage uptake of 7,2%, a figure way off the 80% target of circumcising 145 646 men by 2017 in the province.
This is despite claims by experts that 42% of new HIV infections will be averted through scaling up of MC between 2011-2015 and according to the director of Aids and TB in the Health ministry, Owen Mugurungi, the government could save about $3 billion in HIV treatment if uptake of the programme is increased; through circumcision.
Population Services International (PSI) has tried to drum up support by using celebrities as brand ambassadors in order to lure more men to be circumcised.
The ambassadors include Albert Nyathi who was circumcised Jah Prayzah, Sulumani Chimbetu, Winky D and Fungisai Mashavave-Zvakavapano.
Meanwhile, speaking during the forum, Health minister David Parirenyatwa said there was need to speed up the issue of the national health insurance scheme to achieve universal health coverage for everyone.
“We want health care to be affordable and accessible to everyone and since early 1990s, we have been deliberating on this issue, but it always got sidelined by one thing or the other,” Parirenyatwa said.
The minister said it was a shame that only 10% of the population were on medical aid.
“There is need to expand services and capacitate council clinics to handle more cases and relive pressure on the few referral hospitals that we have.”
