Harare records 1,341 annual HIV infections among young people aged 15–24

By Southerton Business Times | Harare, Zimbabwe

HARARE Metropolitan Province is facing renewed concern over HIV infections among young people after health figures showed that more than half of the province’s estimated annual new infections occur among people aged 15 to 24. The figures were presented during a National AIDS Council (NAC) sensitisation meeting in Mazowe attended by provincial heads of Government departments, highlighting the need for targeted HIV prevention programmes among adolescents and young adults.

According to figures reported by The Herald, Harare has an estimated 195,429 people living with HIV, representing an HIV prevalence rate of 8.4 percent. The province records an estimated 2,644 new HIV infections annually, with 1,341 occurring among people aged between 15 and 24. The figures mean that young people in the 15–24 age group account for slightly more than half of the reported annual new infections in Harare.

Dr Shingirayi Mushamba, Secretary for Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution, said the trend required urgent and targeted interventions.

“We are very concerned because although HIV and TB cases have generally declined, our statistical analysis shows an increase in infections among the 15 to 24 age group. That is our future at stake,” Mushamba said.

The Government is expected to work with schools, parents, local authorities, the Ministry of Health and Child Care and NAC to strengthen HIV education, prevention and behavioural change programmes.

Mushamba also urged young people to make use of available HIV prevention and treatment services, including Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) following possible exposure to HIV. PEP is an emergency HIV prevention intervention that involves taking antiretroviral medicines as soon as possible after a potential exposure. It is most effective when started promptly and is intended for emergency situations rather than routine HIV prevention. NAC Harare provincial manager Adonijah Muzondiona said Harare continued to carry Zimbabwe's largest HIV burden largely because of its population size.

He said adolescent girls and young women remain particularly affected, while sustained community awareness, HIV testing and safer sexual practices are critical to reducing new infections. The latest figures have renewed attention on HIV prevention among young people in Harare, particularly the need to make prevention information and services accessible to adolescents and young adults. Public-health programmes targeting young people are increasingly expected to address not only HIV knowledge but also access to testing, condoms and other prevention services, treatment and accurate sexual and reproductive health information.

The reported figures also underline the importance of reaching young people through schools, communities and digital platforms, where health information can be delivered in ways that are accessible to younger audiences. Zimbabwe has made significant progress in responding to HIV over the years, but new infections among young people remain a major public-health concern. Health authorities are therefore expected to intensify prevention and awareness programmes as they seek to reduce new HIV infections among young people in Harare.

NAC and Government officials have urged communities, parents, schools and young people themselves to play a greater role in HIV prevention efforts.

HIV infections among young people in Harare