*UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa, Universal Access
HIV Epidemic Trends
Zimbabwe has seen important decreases in adult prevalence, from approximately 26.5% in 2001 to 15.6% in 2007 but as in other countries, women (especially young women) continue to be disproportionately affected by the epidemic. There have been declines in prevalence in young people from 19.9% in 2002 to 10.6% in 2007. The declines have been explained by effective changes in behavior for reducing sexual partners, socioeconomic conditions limiting travel and potential for ‘side’ relationships, and also increasing mortality due to low treatment access.
HIV Prevalence Zimbabwe 1990 to 2007 (Epidemiological Fact Sheet on HIV and AIDS Core data on epidemiology and response Zimbabwe 2008 Update UNAIDS)
Prevalence in pregnant women 15-24 years of age can be used as a proxy to estimate incidence. In Zimbabwe antenatal surveys show decrease in prevalence in young pregnant women since 2004. This trend has continued through 2002 (25.7%) and 2006 (17.7%). Zimbabwe also saw more than 25% reduction in prevalence among all young people between 2000 and 2005 showing the impact prevention can have. Future survey data will be needed to see if the downward trend continues. Even if incidence is decreasing, prevalence still remains high and prevention needs to be prioritized.
Figure 3 The prevalence of HIV among antenatal clients aged 15-24 years 2000-2002 and 2002-2006 (UNGASS Report on HIV/AIDS, Follow up to the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, Zimbabwe Country Report, January – December 2007 | 
