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ZIMBABWE is recording 250 new weekly HIV infections that are believed to be predominantly adolescent-ridden, a development that could hinder progress in the fight against AIDS by 2030.
The country, which has Africa's fifth highest prevalence of HIV prevalence, is badociated with other very heavily affected countries that aim to reduce the number of new infections to 500,000 annually. by 2020.
According to a recent report from UNAids, the number of new infections rises to 1.8 million compared to the 2020 goal.
Dr. Nyaradzo Mmgodi, a prominent HIV researcher, said at the launch of a national science café that the number of new infections was so high that it would be impossible to reduce it. if the public did not use proven prevention tools.
"As a country, we have had good results in the antiretroviral therapy (ART) program, which has reduced our deaths.
"However, we are contributing a lot to new infections as they currently reach 250 per week," she said.
"We must therefore propose intervention methods that will be adopted by all people in communities so that women and girls have the choice to choose HIV prevention methods that match their preferences," said Dr. Mmgodi.
She added that researchers are also exploring the possibility of developing multi-use HIV prevention technologies, which would also serve as contraceptives for women.
Dr. Mmgodi said the contraceptives available are tablets, implants, injectables and condoms, giving women the much needed choice.
"We have been working on a vaccine and HIV antibody since 1983. I am happy because in Zimbabwe we are also participating in clinical trials that could lead the world to find this vaccine that we will help cope with HIV once and for all, "she says.
Dr. Mmgodi said that for a vaccine or preventive method to be fully deployed, it had to go through three stages of testing or verification, which could take at least seven years.
"All interventions must go through three stages before they can be deployed to people. The first step is to test the product's safety, which can take up to 18 months, "she said.
"The second stage is usually a larger study with 20 to 100 participants lasting about two years and the last stage having about 16,000 participants and lasting about three years," added Dr. Mmgodi.
She said the results of current prevention studies with the help of vaccines and antibodies are expected in 2022.
Zimbabwe joins the world in celebrating World AIDS Day on Saturday, 1 December.
This year's theme is "Know Your Status", which fits into the context of HIV infections that continue to be recorded.
In addition to encouraging people to simply know their HIV status, this year's theme has been expanded to call for everyone to get tested for other conditions such as tuberculosis, badually transmitted infections (IST) and noncommunicable diseases, especially among them. , says the National AIDS Council.
State media
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