Source: Harare records decline in HIV prevalence rate – herald
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Senior Health Reporter
HARARE Metropolitan Province is recording progress in the fight against HIV and sexually transmitted infections, with the latest statistics showing declines in HIV prevalence, new infections and repeat STI cases.
This development has been attributed to intensified prevention programmes and improved access to HIV services.
Latest figures show that HIV prevalence has declined to 8,4 percent from about 13 percent recorded a few years ago, while HIV incidence has fallen to 0,4 percent, indicating fewer people are acquiring the virus.
During the first quarter of 2026, the province also attained 72 percent coverage under the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme, with 16 532 pregnant women accessing HIV testing services.
National AIDS Council (NAC) Harare provincial manager Mr Adonija Muzondiona said the declining figures reflect the impact of sustained investment in HIV prevention programmes targeting vulnerable groups.
“The latest HIV burden estimates are encouraging. They point to a reduction in both HIV prevalence and incidence. We believe the positive results are due to the prevention programmes we are implementing, particularly the Brotha-to-Brotha programme,” he said.
He said Harare Metropolitan Province, which comprises Greater Harare, Chitungwiza, Epworth and Ruwa, has intensified targeted interventions focusing on adolescents, young people and other vulnerable populations identified through research as being at greater risk of HIV infection.
Harare has also recorded encouraging gains in the fight against sexually transmitted infections.
Mr Muzondiona said although the province recorded an increase of just over 10 percent in new STI cases during the quarter, this was considerably lower than the increases of more than 20 percent that had previously been recorded.
“This quarter, we recorded an increase of just over 10 percent in new STI cases compared to the previous quarter. This is a significant improvement because we were previously seeing increases of 20 percent or more every quarter.
“More importantly, we recorded a 38 percent decline in repeat STI cases. This is a major success, which we attribute to follow-up programmes being implemented by the National AIDS Council and its partners to ensure clients complete treatment and receive continued support. The most common STIs recorded are gonorrhoea and genital abrasions,” he said.
He said the reduction in repeat infections was also driven by targeted interventions in identified hotspots, strengthened community follow-up and improved availability of condoms at strategic distribution points across the province.
In addition, the National AIDS Council has integrated screening for non-communicable diseases into HIV services, with mobile outreach teams screening communities for hypertension, diabetes, cervical cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer alongside HIV and STI services.
With HIV prevalence and incidence continuing to decline alongside a significant reduction in repeat STI cases, health authorities say the priority is to sustain prevention efforts, expand HIV testing and treatment services, and promote safer sexual practices as the province works towards ending HIV and AIDS as a public health threat.
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