MEN are at high risk of contracting advanced HIV disease, with higher Aids-related mortality recorded due to lower health-seeking behaviours, a latest report revealed.
Records on HIV and Aids prevalence reflect successful efforts by the government and the National Aids Council (NAC), which aim to curb the virulent epidemic by 2030.
However, stigma, discrimination, uncertainty in donor funding and certain legal frameworks impede progress towards ending the disease.
According to the draft Zimbabwe National HIV and Aids Strategic Plan (ZNASP) 2026-30, Zimbabwe continues to have one of the largest HIV epidemics in southern Africa.
“Viral suppression in children and young people is significantly lower than in adults. Disparities also remain among men and key populations. Men and at-risk groups have lower testing coverage and initiate treatment late,” the draft report read.
“Societal barriers such as stigma, discrimination and some legal frameworks continue to impede access. 69,7% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) report experiencing stigma (Stigma Index 2022).
“Men are more likely to start treatment late, often with advanced HIV disease, due to lower health-seeking behaviour, which contributes to higher Aids mortality among men.”
Urban centres such as Harare and Bulawayo reportedly have large numbers of people living with HIV, while some rural border districts like Matabeleland South exhibit higher incidence rates than cities.
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The ZNASP draft also indicates that despite having one of the largest HIV epidemics in the region, Zimbabwe maintains one of the most mature and organised responses.
As of 2024, a total of 1 295 675 Zimbabweans were reportedly living with HIV, down from over 1,5 million a decade earlier, a decline attributed to effective treatment scale-up and government prevention efforts.
The report indicated that certain groups face a higher HIV risk, including female sex workers, trans-gender people, who inject drugs, prisoners in crowded conditions, as well as occupational groups such as miners and truck drivers.
“Other key populations at elevated risk include female sex workers, who have an HIV prevalence estimated at 45% to 60% and a much higher incidence than the general population,” the report noted.
“Men who have sex with men have a prevalence of 23,4% in limited studies — though same-sex behaviour is highly stigmatised and illegal, making data sparse. Trans-gender people also face high stigma, and their HIV burden remains largely unknown.
“People who inject drugs currently represent a small population, but this may grow with increasing substance use among youth.
“Prisoners face crowded conditions and limited prevention access, while certain occupational groups like miners, truck drivers, farm workers and fisher folk often have poor access to health services.”
