Language barrier is hampering effective HIV/Aids communication in areas like Chiredzi where people speak different indigenous languages.
BY VENERANDA LANGA
This was revealed by Masvingo Senator Otilia Maluleke when she contributed to debate in Senate on the first report of the thematic committee on HIV and Aids on the anti-retroviral therapy (ART) rollout programme.
The report was presented in Senate before it adjourned in March.
“Chiredzi is close to the South African and Mozambican borders and most people there think HIV and Aids is caused by witchcraft because they do not have information about the virus,” Maluleke said.
“It is difficult to communicate because some people understand Ndebele, Ndau, Shona, Venda and Shangani it is a mixed bag.”
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She said as a result there were many child-headed families resulting in children facing challenges.
“When the orphaned children realise the challenges overcoming them, they dump the younger children. Some children end up being picked at the railway station, while others are just dumped anywhere,” she said.
Maluleke said polygamy was another challenge fuelling the spread of HIV in Chiredzi.