Poverty, Low Female Condom Use Threaten HIV Prevention Efforts in Mashonaland West

KADOMA – A troubling combination of poverty, limited access to healthcare services, and unequal power dynamics in relationships is undermining HIV prevention efforts in Mashonaland West, where female condom use remains critically low, according to officials and community members.

The concerns emerged during a recent National Aids Council (NAC) media tour of the province, with stakeholders warning that many women remain vulnerable to HIV infection because they lack both access to healthcare facilities and the ability to negotiate safer sexual practices.

Speaking during the tour, Kadoma NAC district coordinator Delphine Sikhukulu said progress in promoting female condom use in Zimbabwe remains slow, particularly among young women.

"There is not much progress in terms of women using female condoms; it's still on the low side," said Sikhukulu.

While specific statistics were not immediately available, she noted that many women continue to face social and economic barriers that limit their control over sexual and reproductive health decisions.

Community members said worsening economic conditions are increasingly pushing vulnerable women into risky situations, exposing them to a higher risk of contracting HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Dephine Mashinga, a young mother from the area, said financial hardship often leaves young women susceptible to exploitation by men offering more money for unprotected sex.

"Young women are tempted by men who offer more money for sex without condoms, and young women fall for that," she said.

"Because of this economic crisis, young women accept US$10 for a short-time sexual encounter that usually costs US$5 or less. The temptation is too high to turn down."

Public health experts warn that economic vulnerability remains one of the biggest drivers of HIV transmission, particularly among young women in rural and mining communities.

The challenges are particularly severe in the Muzvezve area, which includes the Mayflower and Brompton mining communities, where residents say there is no local clinic. As a result, villagers must travel to Kadoma for basic healthcare services, including HIV testing, antenatal care, and maternal health services. For many families, transport costs alone create a significant barrier to accessing medical treatment.

Marbel Chinyoka, an expectant mother, said she has travelled to Kadoma for all her pregnancies because there is no healthcare facility nearby.

"We pay US$10 round-trip to go to Kadoma for a check-up for every visit," she said.

"We need a clinic here. We have been telling our MPs, unfortunately from the Haritatos clan, but nothing has materialised. US$10 for a visit to the clinic in Kadoma is too much for us, especially when money is so difficult to get."

Residents expressed frustration over what they described as repeated election promises to improve healthcare infrastructure that have yet to materialise.

Responding to concerns, Ministry of Health and Child Care communications director Donald Mujiri said the government recognises the need to expand healthcare services in underserved communities.

"The ministry is aware of the need for more health facilities, and we are currently constructing health posts across the country, in addition to more than 1,900 existing health centres," said Mujiri.

Health advocates say the situation demonstrates the close connection between poverty, healthcare access, and HIV prevention in Zimbabwe. They argue that providing prevention tools alone is not enough if women lack the economic security, education, and social empowerment needed to make independent decisions about their health. As Zimbabwe continues its fight against HIV and Aids, experts say expanding rural healthcare infrastructure, reducing poverty, and strengthening women's empowerment programmes will be critical to lowering HIV vulnerability and improving health outcomes in remote communities.

For many residents of Mashonaland West, the issue extends beyond healthcare. It is also about ensuring that essential public services are brought closer to communities that need them most.

Female condom use in Mashonaland West