Skip Navigation Links.
American Journal of Clinical Medicine Research. 2013, 1(1), 15-22
DOI: 10.12691/AJCMR-1-1-5
Review Article

HIV/AIDS: The Zimbabwean Situation and Trends

Duri Kerina1, , Stray-Pedersen Babill2 and Muller F3

1Department of Immunology, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

2Division of Women and Children, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

3Department of Microbiology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway

Pub. Date: February 16, 2013
Full Text PDF

Cite this paper

Duri Kerina, Stray-Pedersen Babill and Muller F. HIV/AIDS: The Zimbabwean Situation and Trends. American Journal of Clinical Medicine Research. 2013; 1(1):15-22. doi: 10.12691/AJCMR-1-1-5

Abstract

Although there are many Zimbabwean published manuscripts reporting on different HIV/AIDS research areas on what has been happening over the years concise national reviews are rare yet such reports are not only important to the respective researchers and policy makers of the native country but are also of great value to potential donors and/or collaborators who may wish to have a quick and deep understanding of disease burden and trends of the nation they may wish to work with. Recent data from general population surveys point to a remarkable decline in the HIV prevalence attributed mainly to changes in sexual behavior and to some extent to effective preventive programmes such as male circumcision, prevention of mother to child transmission of the virus (PMTCT) including improved access to antiretroviral therapy among the infected that has consequently reduced transmission at population level. This review seeks to give a simple and clear Zimbabwean HIV/AIDS perspective detailing the geographical, demographical, social economic status including HIV related legal aspects that could have shaped the observed disease burden and trends. Milestones, impact, and challenges around the control of the HIV/AIDS pandemic will be discussed.

Keywords

HIV/AIDS, Trends, socio-economics, Zimbabwe

Copyright

Creative CommonsThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References

[1]  Central Statistical Office H. Census 1992; Zimbabwe National report. 2002.
 
[2]  Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) and ICF International. Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey 2010-11 2012. Calverton, Maryland, ZIMSTAT and ICF International Inc.
 
[3]  Economist Intelligence Unit. Zimbabwe Country Report. 2008.
 
[4]  Cato Institute. New Hyperinflation Index (HHIZ) Puts Zimbabwe Inflation at 89.7 Sextillion Percent. 2008.
 
[5]  Index Mundi. Zimbabwe unemployment rate. 2009.
 
[6]  DFID. Reducing maternal deaths in Africa. 2008.
 
[7]  WHO. WHO Statistical Information System (WHOSIS). 2008. Geneva.
 
[8]  Mathers CD, Sadana R, Salomon JA, Murray CJ, Lopez AD: Healthy life expectancy in 191 countries, 1999. Lancet 2001; 357(9269):1685-1691.
 
[9]  Sibanda A: A nation in pain: why the HIV/AIDS epidemic is out of control in Zimbabwe. Int J Health Serv 2000; 30(4):717-738.
 
[10]  Ikeogu MO, Wolf B, Mathe S: Pulmonary manifestations in HIV seropositivity and malnutrition in Zimbabwe. Arch Dis Child 1997; 76(2):124-128.
 
[11]  Chimhuya S, Kambarami RA, Mujuru H: The levels of malnutrition and risk factors for mortality at Harare Central Hospital-Zimbabwe: an observation study. Cent Afr J Med 2007; 53(5-8):30-34.
 
[12]  Ticklay IM, Nathoo KJ, Siziya S, Brady JP: HIV infection in malnourished children in Harare, Zimbabwe. East Afr Med J 1997; 74(4):217-220.
 
[13]  Serdula M: Diet, malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa. Ann IFORD 1988; 12(2):35-63.
 
[14]  United Nations (UN) Department of Economic Social Affairs. World Population Prospects, the 2000 Revision. 2001. Geneva.
 
[15]  United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Population Estimates and Projections Sections of the United Nations Secretariat, World population Prospects: The 2010 Revision. 2010.
 
[16]  Zimbabwe National Nutrition Survey, 2010- Preliminary findings. 2010.
 
[17]  Mapenzauswa S. Zimbabwe Holds First National Meeting on AIDS Crisis", June 15, 2004 . 2004. Reuters NewsMedia.
 
[18]  Dehne KL, Dhlakama DG, Richter C et al.: Herpes zoster as an indicator of HIV infection in Africa. Trop Doct 1992; 22(2):68-70.
 
[19]  Topley JM: HIV infection in Zimbabwe. Arch Dis Child 1988; 63(7):842-844.
 
[20]  McFarland W, Mvere D, Shamu R, Katzenstein D: Risk factors for HIV seropositivity among first-time blood donors in Zimbabwe. Transfusion 1998; 38(3):279-284.
 
[21]  McFarland W, Mvere D, Shandera W, Reingold A: Epidemiology and prevention of transfusion-associated human immunodeficiency virus transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. Vox Sang 1997; 72(2):85-92.
 
[22]  Mertens T: [Modern serologic diagnosis of HIV 1 and HIV 2 infection]. Verh Dtsch Ges Inn Med 1991; 97:375-381.
 
[23]  National blood services Zimbabwe. National blood services Zimbabwe Annual report 2010. 2010. Harare , Zimbabwe.
 
[24]  Denhe K, Dhlakama D, Richter C et al.: Pattern of HIV-infection in Hurungwe district, Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe. Cent Afr J Med 1992; 38(4):139-143.
 
[25]  Mertens T, Tondorf G, Siebolds M et al.: Epidemiology of HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) in selected African and Asian populations. Infection 1989; 17(1):4-7.
 
[26]  Tswana SA, Nystrom L, Moyo SR et al.: A sero-epidemiology cross-sectional nationwide study of the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus in Zimbabwe 1989-1991. Afr J Health Sci 1996; 3(3):96-100.
 
[27]  Zimbabwe 2005-06: results from the Demographic and Health Survey: Stud Fam Plann 2008; 39(3):227-232.
 
[28]  Mbizvo MT, Mashu A, Chipato T et al.: Trends in HIV-1 and HIV-2 prevalence and risk factors in pregnant women in Harare, Zimbabwe. Cent Afr J Med 1996; 42(1):14-21.
 
[29]  Forland F, Eriksen K: [HIV-prevalence in Mutoko, Zimbabwe. A study among pregnant women and patients with sexually transmitted diseases]. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 1994; 114(9):1050-1052.
 
[30]  Obi CL, McAdoo HP, Murray M, Tswana SA, Moyo SR: HIV infection and HIV-1 clades among pregnant women in Harare, Zimbabwe. Cent Afr J Med 1997; 43(7):188-192.
 
[31]  Mbizvo EM, Msuya SE, Stray-Pedersen B et al.: HIV seroprevalence and its associations with the other reproductive tract infections in asymptomatic women in Harare, Zimbabwe. Int J STD AIDS 2001; 12(8):524-531.
 
[32]  Humphrey JH, Hargrove JW, Malaba LC et al.: HIV incidence among post-partum women in Zimbabwe: risk factors and the effect of vitamin A supplementation. AIDS 2006; 20(10):1437-1446.
 
[33]  Gonese E, Dzangare J, Gregson S et al.: Comparison of HIV prevalence estimates for Zimbabwe from antenatal clinic surveillance (2006) and the 2005-06 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey. PLoS One 2010; 5(11):e13819.
 
[34]  Mahomva A, Greby S, Dube S et al.: HIV prevalence and trends from data in Zimbabwe, 1997-2004. Sex Transm Infect 2006; 82 Suppl 1:i42-i47.
 
[35]  Mahomva A. Zimbabwe PMTCT program, Annual Report. 2007.
 
[36]  Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Welfare. Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Welfare. Zimbabwe National HIV and AIDS Estimates 2007. Harare. 2007.
 
[37]  Bassett MT, Mhloyi M: Women and AIDS in Zimbabwe: the making of an epidemic. Int J Health Serv 1991; 21(1):143-156.
 
[38]  Fowler MG, Melnick SL, Mathieson BJ: Women and HIV. Epidemiology and global overview. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am 1997; 24(4):705-729.
 
[39]  Gregson S, Nyamukapa CA, Garnett GP et al.: Sexual mixing patterns and sex-differentials in teenage exposure to HIV infection in rural Zimbabwe. Lancet 2002; 359(9321):1896-1903.
 
[40]  Latif AS, Katzenstein DA, Bassett MT et al.: Genital ulcers and transmission of HIV among couples in Zimbabwe. AIDS 1989; 3(8):519-523.
 
[41]  Hayes RJ, Schulz KF, Plummer FA: The cofactor effect of genital ulcers on the per-exposure risk of HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. J Trop Med Hyg 1995; 98(1):1-8.
 
[42]  Simonsen JN, Fowke KR, MacDonald KS, Plummer FA: HIV pathogenesis: mechanisms of susceptibility and disease progression. Curr Opin Microbiol 1998; 1(4):423-429.
 
[43]  Paulo M, Borges AB, Duarte G et al.: The environmental cofactors in carcinogenesis in high risk HPV/HIV-positive women. Braz J Infect Dis 2007; 11(2):189-195.
 
[44]  Tobian AA, Quinn TC: Herpes simplex virus type 2 and syphilis infections with HIV: an evolving synergy in transmission and prevention. Curr Opin HIV AIDS 2009; 4(4):294-299.
 
[45]  Koethe JR, Chi BH, Megazzini KM, Heimburger DC, Stringer JS: Macronutrient supplementation for malnourished HIV-infected adults: a review of the evidence in resource-adequate and resource-constrained settings. Clin Infect Dis 2009; 49(5):787-798.
 
[46]  Dube S, Boily MC, Mugurungi O et al.: Estimating vertically acquired HIV infections and the impact of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission program in Zimbabwe: insights from decision analysis models. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2008; 48(1):72-81.
 
[47]  Ferrand RA, Corbett EL, Wood R et al.: AIDS among older children and adolescents in Southern Africa: projecting the time course and magnitude of the epidemic. AIDS 2009; 23(15):2039-2046.
 
[48]  Zimbabwe Institute of Development Studies and the UNDP. Zimbabwe Human Development Report. 2003.
 
[49]  Matchaba-Hove R. HIV/AIDS in the Zimbabwe defence forces; A civil Society Perspective. In: The Enemy Within. 2005.
 
[50]  Whiteside A, Winsbury R: Vancouver AIDS conference: special report. The role of the military to protect society and themselves. AIDS Anal Afr 1996; 6(4):4.
 
[51]  Yeager R: Armies of east and southern Africa fighting a guerrilla war with AIDS. Special report: AIDS and the military. AIDS Anal Afr 1995; 5(6):10-12.
 
[52]  Dalai SC, De OT, Harkins GW et al.: Evolution and molecular epidemiology of subtype C HIV-1 in Zimbabwe. AIDS 2009; 23(18):2523-2532.
 
[53]  Mucheto P, Chadambuka A, Shambira G et al.: Determinants of nondisclosure of HIV status among women attending the prevention of mother to child transmission programme, Makonde district, Zimbabwe, 2009. Pan Afr Med J 2011; 8:51.
 
[54]  Sambisa W, Curtis S, Mishra V: AIDS stigma as an obstacle to uptake of HIV testing: evidence from a Zimbabwean national population-based survey. AIDS Care 2010; 22(2):170-186.
 
[55]  Cameron E, Burris S, Clayton M: HIV is a virus, not a crime: ten reasons against criminal statutes and criminal prosecutions. J Int AIDS Soc 2008; 11:7.
 
[56]  Lopman BA, Nyamukapa C, Hallett TB et al.: Role of widows in the heterosexual transmission of HIV in Manicaland, Zimbabwe, 1998-2003. Sex Transm Infect 2009; 85 Suppl 1:i41-i48.
 
[57]  Adetunji JA: HIV/AIDS and young age widowhood in sub-Saharan Africa. J Health Hum Serv Adm 2001; 24(3):259-278.
 
[58]  Strategy for safe medical male circumcision scale up to support comprehensive HIV prevention in Zimbabwe. Ministry of Health. 2010.
 
[59]  Halperin DT, Fritz K, McFarland W, Woelk G: Acceptability of adult male circumcision for sexually transmitted disease and HIV prevention in Zimbabwe. Sex Transm Dis 2005; 32(4):238-239.
 
[60]  Bateman C: HIV prevalence in Zimbabwe dropping like a stone. S Afr Med J 2011; 101(1):10-11.
 
[61]  Gregson S, Gonese E, Hallett TB et al.: HIV decline in Zimbabwe due to reductions in risky sex? Evidence from a comprehensive epidemiological review. Int J Epidemiol 2010; 39(5):1311-1323.
 
[62]  Halperin DT, Mugurungi O, Hallett TB et al.: A surprising prevention success: why did the HIV epidemic decline in Zimbabwe? PLoS Med 2011; 8(2):e1000414.
 
[63]  Muchini B, Benedikt C, Gregson S et al.: Local perceptions of the forms, timing and causes of behavior change in response to the AIDS epidemic in Zimbabwe. AIDS Behav 2011; 15(2):487-498.
 
[64]  Hansen K, Woelk G, Jackson H et al.: The cost of home-based care for HIV/AIDS patients in Zimbabwe. AIDS Care 1998; 10(6):751-759.
 
[65]  Novitsky V, Essex M: Using HIV viral load to guide treatment-for-prevention interventions. Curr Opin HIV AIDS 2012; 7(2):117-124.
 
[66]  McClellan MK, Patel R, Kadzirange G, Chipatod T, Katzenstein D: Fertility desires and condom use among HIV-positive women at an antiretroviral roll-out program in Zimbabwe. Afr J Reprod Health 2010; 14(2):27-35.
 
[67]  Moyo W, Mbizvo MT: Desire for a future pregnancy among women in Zimbabwe in relation to their self-perceived risk of HIV infection, child mortality, and spontaneous abortion. AIDS Behav 2004; 8(1):9-15.
 
[68]  Mudzviti T, Maponga CC, Khoza S, Ma Q, Morse GD: The impact of herbal drug use on adverse drug reaction profiles of patients on antiretroviral therapy in zimbabwe. AIDS Res Treat 2012; 2012:434171.
 
[69]  Bepe N, Madanhi N, Mudzviti T et al.: The impact of herbal remedies on adverse effects and quality of life in HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy. J Infect Dev Ctries 2011; 5(1):48-53.
 
[70]  Monera TG, Wolfe AR, Maponga CC, Benet LZ, Guglielmo J: Moringa oleifera leaf extracts inhibit 6beta-hydroxylation of testosterone by CYP3A4. J Infect Dev Ctries 2008; 2(5):379-383.
 
[71]  Gregson S, Anderson RM, Ndlovu J, Zhuwau T, Chandiwana SK: Recent upturn in mortality in rural Zimbabwe: evidence for an early demographic impact of HIV-1 infection? AIDS 1997; 11(10):1269-1280.
 
[72]  Timaeus IM: Impact of the HIV epidemic on mortality in sub-Saharan Africa: evidence from national surveys and censuses. AIDS 1998; 12 Suppl 1:S15-S27.
 
[73]  Timaeus IM, Jasseh M: Adult mortality in sub-Saharan Africa: evidence from Demographic and Health Surveys. Demography 2004; 41(4):757-772.
 
[74]  Mangoma J, Chimbari M, Dhlomo E: An enumeration of orphans and analysis of the problems and wishes of orphans: the case of Kariba, Zimbabwe. SAHARA J 2008; 5(3):120-128.
 
[75]  Skovdal M, Campbell C, Madanhire C, Nyamukapa C, Gregson S: Challenges faced by elderly guardians in sustaining the adherence to antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected children in Zimbabwe. AIDS Care 2011;1-8.
 
[76]  Howard BH, Phillips CV, Matinhure N et al.: Barriers and incentives to orphan care in a time of AIDS and economic crisis: a cross-sectional survey of caregivers in rural Zimbabwe. BMC Public Health 2006; 6:27.
 
[77]  Kwaramba P. The socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS on communal agricultural production systems in Zimbabwe. 1997. Harare Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe farmers Union and Friederich Ebert.
 
[78]  Ministry of Health and child Welfare Z. National HIV Estimates 2009.