A GOVERNMENT official has disclosed that the majority of women in Masvingo who test HIV-positive are scared of disclosing their status to their partners, fearing their marriages could break up.
Nqobile Bhebhe
Speaking at a two-day media workshop in Masvingo, acting provincial medical director Kudzai Masinire said non-disclosure is rampant in the province.
“Last year we conducted an operational research in the province and realised that men are not keen to go for HIV tests and if they do that would be very late,” he said. “However, women who get tested and results indicate they are HIV-positive are scared to disclose to their patterns.
“The major reason they highlight is the fear that their marriage might collapse.” Masinire said in most cases, women were not too sure how their husbands would react after learning of their statuses, with most testing without the knowledge of their husbands.
He said non-disclosure, motivated by the socio-economic issues, is a major challenge and was contributing to the spread of the disease.
The country has approximately 1,2 million people living with HIV, with half of them on anti-retroviral (ARV) therapy.
The 2011 United Nations General Assembly Political Declaration on HIV and Aids, came out with 10 targets to eradicate the disease.
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Some of the targets include the reduction of sexual transmission of HIV by 50% by 2015, cutting down HIV transmission among people who inject drugs by the same percentage and reaching out to 15 million people with ARVs by 2015.
The targets also include eliminating stigma and discrimination against people living with and affected by HIV through the promotion of laws and policies that ensure the full realisation of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
