Women bear brunt of Aids

News
ZIMBABWE’S new HIV infections continue to be higher in women compared to men, a new ZimStats report has revealed.

ZIMBABWE’S new HIV infections continue to be higher in women compared to men, a new ZimStats report has revealed.

NQOBANI NDLOVU STAFF REPORTER

According to the report, there were a total of 362 875 new Aids cases with 223 633 having been recorded among women compared to 139 242 in men.

The ZimStats report shows that since 2011, women have recorded the highest number of new Aids cases compared to men.

In 2010, there were 43 844 new Aids cases in both men and women, in 2011 there were 93 171 (men) and 156 228 (women), in 2012 there were 140 038 (men) and 229 815 (women) and last year 139 242 (men) and 223 633 (women). The report cites the Health ministry as the source of the statistics. Anele Ndebele, the Magwegwe MP and HIV and Aids expert explained that the cause of the disparity was multi-faceted with women being more at risk compared to men.

“I believe that the reasons are multi-faceted and speak to the vulnerability of women. They remain vulnerable as they were in the yester year,” he said.

“Male circumcision has reduced chances of HIV infection among men, but women still remain vulnerable because of their genitalia. There is also the issue of socioeconomic vulnerability among women.

“Generally, women are vulnerable even in marriages where it is hard for them to have a voice on safe sex.”

However, Zimbabwe has continued recording a drop in new HIV infections.

The government has a multi-sector response to HIV and Aids co-ordinated by the National Aids Council.

Researchers say fear of infection, mass social change and recently-introduced male circumcision have driven a huge decline in HIV rates in Zimbabwe.

Other than reducing chances of men becoming infected with HIV during heterosexual intercourse by 60%, circumcision also offers partial protection against sexually transmitted diseases.