Zimbabwe: Failure in Reduction of HIV Levels

Across the world, various campaigns and initiatives are created to stop the spread of HIV infections that run rampant, especially in countries like Africa. Thus, it is disappointing when an initiative fails to yield the expected results. This was the case with a study that spanned three years in several Zimbabwe communities. Researchers were hoping that a program which offered free condoms, peer-to-peer education for the entire community and counseling sessions along with treatment of sexually transmitted diseases aimed at women in the sex industry and their male counterparts would have an impact on HIV infection rates amongst the sex industry as well as community-wide. However, the study determined that this initiative to impact those people who have a much higher risk of being infected with HIV (sex workers and clients) did very little in reducing the rates of HIV infection in the general population. Furthermore, while this initiative actually succeeded in lowering the number of infections of HIV in men, it did not reduce that risk for women.

Those researchers participating in this three year study were optimistic that by targeting the men and women involved in the sex industry, the rates of HIV infections in the entire community could be lowered. One reason for this is that sex workers who spend much of their time prospecting at bars are a prime reason HIV infection rates are so high throughout the community. By targeting these women and men, the researchers felt an impact on the community as a whole would be made.

In addition to the condom distribution and clinical services listed above, this initiative went one step further by offering loans that were interest-free to female sex workers along with training in the management of small businesses. The reason for this is so that these sex workers could learn skills that would stop them from being financially dependent on the sex trade. Despite these efforts geared towards the female sex workers, only the male participants in this study saw any benefit: decrease in rates of HIV infection, fewer symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases and a lower rate of unprotected sex.

Many of the researchers in this study feel this initiative proved to be largely unsuccessful because of financial reasons. The male participants in the study were impacted more because they began using condoms more efficiently and consistently and may have stopped visiting sex workers. Female participants, despite the loans and training, may have found it difficult if not impossible to find any other means of making money. Some female sex workers may also have taken an increased payout from clients who did not want to use condoms.

The lead researcher of the initiative, Dr. Simon Gregson, had this to say about the disappointing results: “Targeting smaller high-risk groups did not have the knock-on effect we had hoped and in addition, we weren’t able to reduce the incidence of HIV in women in the way we had anticipated. We wanted to reduce women’s reliance on sex work through our micro-credit scheme but this failed, partly because of the economic downturn in Zimbabwe.” He also states that he feels the initiative would have proved more successful if it had targeted a larger population and if it focused more on skills training that would impact the entire community and help stem poverty.