MARONDERA district has recorded a decline in circumcision procedures by 3,3%, the National Aids Council (NAC) has said.
By JAIROS SAUNYAMA
District Aids co-ordinator, Sebastian Manjengwa said 2 196 people were circumcised under the voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) between January and June this year.
“The figures have dropped by 75 as compared to last year when 2 271 people were circumcised. The 15-19-year age group followed by the 20-24 group is the highest consumer of VMMC,” he said.
Manjengwa said the district was still compiling the data for the second quarter.
Mashonaland East has an HIV prevalence rate of 16%, with Marondera district at the top with a 17% prevalence rate as compared to the other eight districts in the province.
NAC has declared Marondera an HIV hotspot, attributing the high prevalence rate to a decline in farming activities.
The national circumcision programme was rolled out in 2009 as part of a cocktail of responses to HIV and Aids as it is believed to minimise the chances of contracting HIV by 60%.
