Zim HIV rates decline: UNAIDS

GENEVA – Rates of HIV infection in Zimbabwe have fallen to around 20 per cent of the population from 25 per cent five years ago, apparently due to more condom use and fewer sex partners, the UNAIDS agency said yesterday.

But Zimbabwe, with a population of some 12,5 million, still has among the highest rates of HIV prevalence in the world and infection rates could start rising again, the Geneva-based UN agency said. “UNAIDS sees the evidence of decline as encouraging, but underlines that the challenge now is to ensure that the downward trend in Zimbabwe is sustained,” it said in a brief statement posted on its website www.unaids.org.Its preliminary review of epidemiological and behavioural data will be officially published in December as soon as final data is incorporated, the statement said.”From 1-in-4 people being infected, the declines mean this is now roughly 1-in-5,” said UNAIDS spokeswoman Beth Magne-Watts.”It is good news, but we don’t have the complete study yet,” she told Reuters.The HIV prevalence rate among pregnant women has declined to 21,3 per cent last year from 24,6 per cent in 2002, UNAIDS said.”Other research suggests a decline in the prevalence rate over the past five years,” it said.- Nampa-Reuters”UNAIDS sees the evidence of decline as encouraging, but underlines that the challenge now is to ensure that the downward trend in Zimbabwe is sustained,” it said in a brief statement posted on its website www.unaids.org.Its preliminary review of epidemiological and behavioural data will be officially published in December as soon as final data is incorporated, the statement said.”From 1-in-4 people being infected, the declines mean this is now roughly 1-in-5,” said UNAIDS spokeswoman Beth Magne-Watts.”It is good news, but we don’t have the complete study yet,” she told Reuters.The HIV prevalence rate among pregnant women has declined to 21,3 per cent last year from 24,6 per cent in 2002, UNAIDS said.”Other research suggests a decline in the prevalence rate over the past five years,” it said.- Nampa-Reuters