Learning from the past towards meaningful youth participation in HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a nation that has celebrated the decline in HIV prevalence among its population. A number of progressive initiatives were taken to fight the epidemic. However, these strides were done by adults and at large for adults. This has created a big gap and challenge for young people especially those living with HIV. The progressive initiatives only lacked to target young people living with HIV and those affected with HIV. HIV prevalence for the nation has declined, however the story is not the same for among young people. Issues relating to Stigma and Discrimination, HIV myths, Inaccessible ARVs, Non Existence of PMTCT, Uncompassionate health staff and related trauma are the biggest barriers for young people living with HIV and stand as hindrance for HTC behavior among young people. This paper want to focus on the gaps that needs action informed by the past and the present situation for positive living among young people living with HIV.

The first cases of AIDS in Zimbabwe were identified around 1986. Dr Timothy Stamps was at the helm of the Ministry of Health. Zimbabwe barely 5 years old, the population intended to copulate understanding that the environment was now conducive for starting a family. The situation barely needed a scientist to prove that sexual activity was hype and for many reasons it was unprotected.

The first HIV challenge that rocked was Stigma and Discrimination which took its toll as those infected with HIV quickly got AIDS coupled with Opportunistic Infections. This led to deaths as the nation was still figuring it out. The HIV patients that were admitted faced health workers that wore protective clothing. Most people only knew protective clothing was worn in countries were health workers would be attending to patients with contagious diseases. This is how stigma found its way. This was the scenario for urban habitats or dwellers. In rural areas it was the myths that took the trump card for stigma. Traditional healers would cite witchcraft, angry ancestors among many other potential traditional causes. A popular myth was then sold to the populace as where HIV was coming from. It was an American invention to prevent sex and popularised by the phrase ‘American Invention to Dissuade Sex’ (Aids). The point is, this was not happening in vacuum. Today`s young people were children then. They faced trauma as they watched their parents, guardians and relatives suffer from stigma and discrimination related to HIV. A lot of talk that was negative to children was aired by either relatives, health staff, neighbors or anyone close.

Auxillia Chimusoro told the world that she was HIV positive in 1989 on television. This came with a lot of backlashes and support too. She became the HIV activist we all know. She waged the war against stigma. The stigma was rampant and everywhere. Denial had already creaped in to the same level as stigma. Many did not want to be tested for HIV. Comfort could have been found by not knowing the truth and rely on assumptions and myths. This has propelled a behavior were young people do not seek HTC services. This is cemented by the absent of support structure for positive living. Those that are living positively are not openly living to promote peers in doing so compared to adults who had videos under PSI.

The emergence of PMTCT in 1999 was a major step in the fight against HIV and AIDS. It recorded a 50% drop in mother to child transmission. It was coupled with exclusive breastfeeding and confusing Zidolam (AZT). Of interest to this phase, is the understanding that we have young people that were born from 1986 to 1999 who did not go under PMTCT at all not forgetting the 50% failure that ended in 2013 when PMTCT improved to almost 100%.  Although developments of PMTCT has improved greatly, it is worrisome when we do have the same age group not utilizing HTC. The implications of afore mentioned challenges on stigma and denial could be the reason behind this.

We should not forget the impact on the children that were born with HIV before 2013. Debates rose that the survival of children born with HIV into late childhood is very unusual, and that survival from birth to adolescence with HIV was unlikely as treatment was limited. Stunted growth was common. This triggered peer to peer stigma at an early stage.

Adults managed to create support groups nationwide as safe spaces for people living with HIV. The support group structure was more adult skewed as young people or children were mere members. When positive Living Campaign started, it appeared as if it was for adults only. Young people were sidelined. Attempts to facilitate establishment of Young people’s support groups did not realize intended results drawn from adult support groups.

Acknowledging that we had a period that we did not have PMTCT and 50% PMTCT success rate. We need to promote a HTC behavior among young people. Only 64% of young women (15-24) and 47.5% of young men have ever tested for HIV, prevalence among this group could be significantly higher.[1]

Noting the psychosocial support initiatives, there is need to reach out to more young people who were affected and infected with HIV and AIDS.

Facilitating positive living among young Zimbabweans is key to the fight against HIV and AIDS. Thus need for comprehensive support structures towards positive living

Promote youth driven fight against HIV Stigma for positive living.

Lastly, meaningfully engaging young people as equally partners without affecting independence on decision making.

This article was first published on The Youth Inspirator 

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[1] Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (2015) 'Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey

2015: Key Indicators' p.39/40[pdf]