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Dramatic fall in Zimbabwe HIV infections

Ian Sample— © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

LONDON: Changes in sexual behaviour are believed to have triggered a striking decline in HIV in eastern Zimbabwe, according to a team of British scientists.

Blood tests taken from people across the region show that HIV prevalence has dropped most steeply among the young, with 49 per cent fewer women aged 15 to 24 testing positive and a 23 per cent drop in infections among men of 17 to 29 years old.

The finding may represent a turning point in the HIV epidemic for one of sub-Saharan Africa's most educated countries. The research team behind the study believes that improved education means many were able to understand health warnings about HIV broadcast in radio announcements and discussed in schools.

The team, which is based at Imperial College, London, took blood samples from 9,454 people. The researchers found that overall, HIV prevalence had declined from 23 per cent to 20.5 per cent. In men aged 17 to 54, infection dropped from 19.5 per cent to 18.2 per cent, while in women aged 15 to 54, the number testing positive dropped from 25.9 per cent to 22.3 per cent.

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