By Michael Gwarisa While Mpox cases have been on a downward trend in most World Health Organisation (WHO) regions, the same cannot be said for Africa as cases have been increasing every month since the beginning of 2024. With over 99,000 laboratory-confirmed cases, and 208 deaths having been confirmed globally since January 2024, the total number of cases reported in 12 African countries as of August 18, 2024, according to the WHO Afro Region is 4,562 and 35 lab-confirmed deaths. WHO has since declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of…
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CAB-LA Enjoys High Continuity Rates Among PrEP Users In Zimbabwe
By Michael Gwarisa The recently introduced long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA) for HIV prevention has seen more users returning to get the second dose post their first jab, with data showing that the injectable drug has recorded a continuity rate over 90% since roll out in April, 2024. Currently, the Injectable PrEP is being administered in PrEP study sites in Harare, Mature and Bulawayo and is targeting mainly groups at high risk of HIV, namely Female Sex Workers (FSW), Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) and Men who have Sex with other…
Read MoreForced and Cover Up Marriages Driving HIV Infections In Zimbabwe’s LGBTIQ Community
THE lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) community in Zimbabwe remains one of the hardest hit with new HIV infections due to a myriad of factors chief among them being arranged/forced marriages with heterosexual individuals, homophobia initiated rape and cover up marriages amongst a host of other factors. By Michael Gwarisa Currently there is little information available on LGBTIQ and HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe since the area is still shunned a lot due to institutionalized and societal homophobia, lack of understanding of human sexuality and sexual health…
Read MoreCondom Use Declines Among Zim Sex Workers As Country Misses 2020 Condom Distribution Target
A total 83 million male condoms and 2.9 million female condoms were distributed in the year 2020, which is a far cry from the 100 million for men and 5.5 million that had been targeted for women during the year. By Michael Gwarisa The target misses were largely attributed to service disruption due to Covid-19. The 2020 figures were the lowest compared to the previous three years. The decline in condom distribution also affected uptake and use of condoms by Female Sex Workers and other HIV high risk groups. Presenting…
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